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Government assistance to the fisheries sector comprises disaster relief payments and management, research and enforcement services; in 2014 these amounted to over B 881 million (Table 4.9). The authorities indicated that a big increase in disaster relief payments in 2011 for the marine capture and in 2011/12 for the aquaculture sector was due to the more frequent incidence of storms and floods in the country.

Table 4.9 Government financial transfers to the fisheries sector, 2009-14
(B '000)
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Marine capture fisheries 158,369 142,002 209,431 216,344 226,897 221,853
Direct payments 3,365 3,112 31,560 3,102 6,739 5,095
Disaster relief payments 3,365 3,112 31,560 3,102 6,739 5,095
Cost-reducing transfers 0 0 0 0 0 0
General services 155,004 138,890 177,871 213,242 220,158 216,758
Management services 23,600 19,929 56,808 96,206 96,206 91,628
Research services 17,476 19,876 15,199 17,918 24,551 12,250
Enforcement services 113,928 99,085 105,864 99,118 99,401 112,880
Cost recovery charges 0 0 0 0 0 0
Aquaculture 773,116 489,675 1,305,667 1,980,000 512,651 659,448
Direct payments 414,843 162,897 965,153 1,683,301 202,293 384,664
Disaster relief payments 414,843 162,897 965,153 1,683,301 202,293 384,664
Cost-reducing transfers 0 0 0 0 0 0
General services 358,273 326,778 340,514 296,699 310,358 274,784
Management, research and enforcement services 358,273 326,778 340,514 296,699 310,358 274,784
Cost recovery charges 0 0 0 0 0 0
Marketing and processing 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 931,485 631,677 1,516,500 2,196,344 739,548 881,300

The Board of Investment offers incentives for certain fisheries activities. Businesses undertaking aquatic animal propagation and aquaculture (except shrimp) may receive a three-year corporate income tax exemption, an import duty exemption for machinery (generally available for 30 months after issuance of a promotion certificate, but a one year extension is permitted upon request) as well as import duty exemptions for raw or essential materials used in manufacturing export products (for 1 year, extendable). Certain conditions apply such as the requirement to use modern technology and have traceability systems in place. Similar incentives are also offered to deep sea fisheries (but in this case the corporate tax exemption is for 5 years). Additional years of tax holidays can be granted (but not exceeding 8 years in total) to a project that has investments or expenditure on one of the following: (a) research and development; (b) donations to technology or human resource funds; (c) intellectual property acquisition or licensing fees; (d) advanced technology training; (e) the development of local suppliers; and (f) product and packaging design given that the qualified expenditures or investments reach the determined threshold. Conditions relate to the size of fishing vessels and the equipment used.

(...) Thailand's commercial forestry sector is small; however, incentives are being provided to grow it as well as to prevent illegal logging.

(...) Just less than 4% of Thailand's total area is devoted to productive plantation forestry. New incentives are being given to increase commercial forestry and efforts are being made to prevent illegal logging.

Efforts are being made by a newly established National Land Committee (NLC) to deal with the problem of trespassers on state land, by allowing poor persons who have settled on forest land to remain there and take care of the forest while at the same time preventing trespassers from undertaking illegal logging. In this regard, measures are being taken to more clearly demarcate forest boundaries as well as to improve coordination between the relevant government bodies and officials (the Justice Ministry, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, Police, Army and forestry and park officials).

Under the National Forestry Policy of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand aims to achieve a total forest area of 40% (20.4 million hectares). 25% of Thailand's total area (12.75 million hectares) should be protected forest in order to preserve the environment, soil, water resources, and wild fauna and flora; prevent natural disasters; conduct research and development; and provide for recreational activities. 15% (7.65 million hectares) of Thailand's total area should be devoted to commercial purposes. To encourage a significant increase in commercial forestry, various incentives are provided. Commercial forestry was listed as one of the Board of Investment's activities of special importance and benefits to the country in 2014. Uncapped corporate income tax exemptions for eight years and other fiscal incentives are available to approved economic forest plantation projects, which must be at least 300 rai (48 hectares) and involve research and development activity. Additionally, the Royal Forest Department offers research and development services to promote faster tree growth and prevent pests. It also donates young trees for planting.

Ongoing energy price reform, which has already resulted in less price differentiation across different fuels while increasing the fiscal revenue, includes an adjustment in the rate of contributions from oil and gas sales to the Government's Oil Fund, and an increase in the excise tax rate on diesel (sections 3.4.2.4 and 4.5.1). These measures should ensure that energy prices will increasingly reflect the true costs of energy, thus promoting more efficient energy consumption and eliminating distortions, i.e., large price cross-subsidies between energy sources and consumers. (...)

Despite its significant energy endowment and energy policy being focused on becoming energy independent, Thailand remains a net and growing energy importer, reflecting robust domestic demand. Various incentives are being offered to support renewable energy products. (...)

(...) Various incentives are being offered to support renewable energy products. (...)