Small-scale farmers will not be taxed for the water they use for farming, according to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) scrutinising the relevant draft bill, as farmers are up in arms over the issue.
Peerasak: Small farmers exempt
NLA deputy chairman Peerasak Porjit denied that small-scale farmers will be subject to tax for water they use on the farms.
"No government will increase expenses for the farmers. They will only lower them," he said, referring to the proposed water tax stipulated in the water resources draft bill up for scrutiny in the NLA.
Mr Peerasak said the public should rest assured that taxing small-scale farmers is an inconceivable idea.
He vowed to step down as NLA deputy chairman if small-scale farmers faced a water tax.
Worasart Apaipong, chief of the Water Resources Department, said water distribution and usage must be fair to everyone, including the supply obtained from natural sources such as rivers, lakes and underground water.
Water from irrigated and natural sources will be taxed in two categories: commercial agriculture and livestock farms, hotels and restaurants; and large-scale farms and industries and large power plants.
As the draft bill does not state the tax figures for water use, the department has proposed tentative tax rates after a discussion with experts.
Agriculture and livestock farming for commerce may be taxed at 50 satang per cubic metre (cu m) of water used, while tourism establishments such as hotels and restaurants could pay between one and three baht a cu m of water. Golf courses and small power plants may pay no more than three baht per cu m of water.
For large-scale farms, industries and large power plants, the water tax may start from three baht a cu m.
Mr Worasart said "commercial-scale" farms defined by the bill would refer to those of at least 50 rai for paddy fields and at least 25 rai for orchard farms, according to the tentative figures. Commercial-scale livestock farms would refer to a farm with at least 20 cows or at least 1,000 ducks.
The department chief said that the tax may be waived in the event of low crop yields.
He said the bill is expected to get the NLA's approval this month before coming into effect next month after it is published in the Royal Gazette.
He added the department will review the water tax figures to determine the most suitable rates. Regulations will be drafted after input is gathered from people for the sake of transparency and fairness.
"The public hearings regarding the price will be held. We want to make sure all stakeholders get fair treatment from the law," he said.
The cabinet two years ago approved the water resources draft bill designed for proper and fair use of water by stakeholders.
Meanwhile, farmers' groups have lashed out at the proposed tax, claiming it is "unacceptable".
Rawee Rungrueng, president of the Thai Farmers Association, said farmers should "rush to visit" the prime minister to demand the draft bill be halted. If not, the issue will have widespread ramifications.
He argued farmers should not be taxed because water for farming comes from the rain, which incurs no costs, adding that farmers will oppose the bill until it is pulled.
Samien Hongto, chairman of the Central Farmers Network, said the tax would exacerbate the plight of farmers. If water were to be taxed, the government must pay for delivering the water to the farms as well.
Some farmers are planning their moves to express their opposition to the bill.
