Three tax collection agencies have been instructed to lay out plans for earning higher tax revenue in fiscal 2015.
Rungson: Agencies to cut the fat
Finance permanent secretary Rungson Sriworasat said the plans would be proposed to Finance Minister Sommai Phasee.
The Revenue, Excise and Customs departments are already the main revenue contributors, accounting for a combined 90%.
Mr Sommai is taking over as finance minister just as the government's revenue collection is predicted to fall short of its target due largely to political strife.
The Finance Ministry recently estimated revenue collection for fiscal 2014 ending Sept 30 will miss its target of 2.275 trillion baht by 150 billion baht or 6.5%.
Budget disbursements have also missed their targets this fiscal year. During the first 10 months of fiscal 2014, government agencies drew down only 75.6% of total expenditure, while revenue collection was 132 billion baht or 7.3% below target.
While swelling household debt is denting domestic consumption and exports are still faltering, public spending has been the main engine driving economic growth.
Thailand avoided a technical recession after the economy enjoyed a surprise upswing in the second quarter.
The economy expanded by 0.9% quarter-on-quarter from April to June after a contraction of 1.9% in the first quarter.
Year-on-year growth for the first half was a 0.1% contraction.
Regarding a potential economic stimulus package, Mr Rungson said the ministry was considering measures.
He said the tax reform plan and a 7% increase in state officials' salary would lso be forwarded to Mr Sommai.
A land and buildings tax, an inheritance tax and an excise tax base change are all aimed at creating tax fairness and in some cases helping to narrow income disparity.
Mr Rungson said the ministry would slash 1.5 billion baht in unnecessary expenditure and lower interest expenses from bond auctions to finance the salary hike.