LAUSR

Abstract This paper examines the short-run welfare effects of a hypothetical carbon tax on households in Thailand. In particular, it sheds light on the association between welfare effects and socio-economic factors other than income. The study first estimates the average welfare effects of the carbon tax across household groups using a microsimulation model, based on input–output data and Thai household survey data. It then empirically examines the relationship between per capita welfare losses and a range of socio-economic factors, using multivariate regression analysis. The results indicate that the incidence of the carbon tax is mildly progressive in Thailand. Even after controlling for income, socio-economic factors, such as geographic region, labor market status, household structure and education, are significantly associated with individual welfare losses across energy and non-energy consumption types.