I thailand, subsidies to diesel, lPG and nGv are “universal,” in the sense that no attempt has been made to target the subsidy at poor or vulnerable groups. as a result, the benefits flow disproportionately to those who consume more fuel, and who tend to be higher income earners. this is certainly true in thailand. figure 9 shows the level of average monthly household energy expenditure across the income groups. upper income groups are the largest users for all subsidized fuels included in the household survey: diesel, gas for vehicles, gas for household use, biodiesel and electricity.
the Iea found that thailand’s subsidies to lPG and diesel benefited the poor the least, with only
5 per cent to 6 per cent going to the lowest income group (the poorest 20 per cent). approximately
9 per cent to 10 per cent of electricity and natural gas subsidies reached the lowest income group
(International energy agency, 2012).