Thailand Reduces Power Costs to ฿3/Unit for Households

Interestingly (or not) our PEA bill just uses the meter readings and an overall "consumption" figure, there's no mention of what the units of consumption actually are.

Of course the meter itself says kWh.

On 4/30/2026 at 2:03 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

Are you sure they get electric power provided for free?

I think not:

If they use less than 300 baht a month then it is free.

On 4/30/2026 at 1:17 PM, mfd101 said:

I'm sure that, mixing as you do only with rich Thais, your view of matters cannot be biased.

No I mix with the poor ones too, my conchais for example.

On 4/30/2026 at 1:19 PM, PJ71 said:

That's approx 1000kwh or more so like your rate will increase.

You mean I will pay more next month instead of less?

If this is true, then is the headline of this topic misleading?

But, I only care about the first question, if I must pay more, or less, next month.

I'm surprised at some of the ignorance from some replies. Yes, it's a great scheme for those that will benefit. There are people, families even, that don't use 200 kWh a month.

We've used 1000+, and last month was 877 kWh. That's just 2 people, being conservative after sunset. Our lowest, being really conservative, and mostly fan use was about 450 kWh, for 30 days, as not O&A that month.

Throughout the year, we average 8MWh or 667kWh a month. That's a month or 2, being O&A.

Remember at first house, our bill was silly high, and they came out to inspect why, couldn't find fault, so we had to pay it. I think it was just an extension cord that grounded in the rain, and instead of trip the breaker, actually drew some juice.

Anyway, the bill was 5k baht, 25 years ago (~฿3.5 / unit), and only 1 small AC. my neighbor was standing next to me, as we discussed it with the PEA tech. Then stated his bill was unusually high also. Then asked how much mine was and almost had a heart attack. His bill was only a few 100 baht.

And I'm think, how is that even possible. Yea, no AC, no microwave, all gas or charcoal cooking. Water kettle, lights and fan, only thing using electric.

On 4/30/2026 at 11:51 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

So if my power bill last month was Bt5000, then how much will I save next month?

New billing system doesn't start until June so it will be the June Bill that you will see a difference

Under the current system if you were using 1,000 units per month the bill would be in the region of B4,194.50 broken down 0-150 units B487.50 151-400 units B1,055.00 over 401 units B2,652.00

Total B4,194.00

From June if using same 1,000 units breakdown is 0-200 units B600.00 201-400 B790.00 over 401 units B3,000.00 Total B4,390.00 an increase of B195.50

Just now, vinny41 said:

New billing system doesn't start until June so it will be the June Bill that you will see a difference

Under the current system if you were using 1,000 units per month the bill would be in the region of B4,194.50 broken down 0-150 units B487.50 151-400 units B1,055.00 over 401 units B2,652.00

Total B4,194.00

From June if using same 1,000 units breakdown is 0-200 units B600.00 201-400 B790.00 over 401 units B3,000.00 Total B4,390.00 an increase of B195.50

OK.

Thank you for your clarification.

I would say that my usage hovers somewhere around BT5000, for better or for worse.

is this going to trickle down to condo renters ?

Just now, mordothailand said:

is this going to trickle down to condo renters ?

Depends on your lease. If the landlord is billing you a fixed rate you will continue to pay that. If you pay directly you get the reduction. I just hate those owners that charge 10 or more baht/kwh when the rate is 3 or 4. People should wake up and stop paying the ridiculous markup.

8 hours ago, gargamon said:

Depends on your lease. If the landlord is billing you a fixed rate you will continue to pay that. If you pay directly you get the reduction. I just hate those owners that charge 10 or more baht/kwh when the rate is 3 or 4. People should wake up and stop paying the ridiculous markup.

i cant recall a single condo where i paid below 8 baht

I went over 300 units for the first time in over a year last month. I suspect this month to be similar. Between November and March I was under 200 every month. So I guess I'll get no discount at all.

17 minutes ago, mordothailand said:

i cant recall a single condo where i paid below 8 baht

I've never paid more than 5. I typically insist that I pay utilities directly. The first question you ask is how much per unit for electricity? If it's over 5 turn around and walk away without further conversation.

On 4/30/2026 at 8:27 AM, J Branche said:

Who comes up with these schemes.

So a house with 5 or 6 people living in it would be penalized even if each person used 100 units a month (500 or 600 units total) while one person consuming up to 200 units a month will benefit.

At least they are bringing awareness to energy conservation and changing some equipment to energy efficient equipment

I knew this would bring heat from foreigners. Sometimes you need to actually talk with Thai people and understand they don't all live in a condo alone or with just one person.

Tourist always see things threw rose colored glasses and live in an insulated bubble. If you know Thai's surviving on water, egg and rice, then you may understand their struggles.

On 4/30/2026 at 11:51 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

So if my power bill last month was Bt5000, then how much will I save next month?

Likely nothing as you've exceeded that rather silly and stingy 600 baht limit.

Just now, spidermike007 said:

Likely nothing as you've exceeded that rather silly and stingy 600 baht limit.

In the past five years, my highest electricity bill was in March this year. It was under 750 baht.

I don't like air conditioning.

On 5/1/2026 at 11:48 PM, vinny41 said:

New billing system doesn't start until June so it will be the June Bill that you will see a difference

Under the current system if you were using 1,000 units per month the bill would be in the region of B4,194.50 broken down 0-150 units B487.50 151-400 units B1,055.00 over 401 units B2,652.00

Total B4,194.00

From June if using same 1,000 units breakdown is 0-200 units B600.00 201-400 B790.00 over 401 units B3,000.00 Total B4,390.00 an increase of B195.50

Yea my April bill was 1037 units.... Total inc VAT is Bt.4798.68.

Just now, IsmeUno said:

In the past five years, my highest electricity bill was in March this year. It was under 750 baht.

I don't like air conditioning.

Well I suppose you deserve some sort of award for living without air conditioning in April in Thailand. My life would be a truly pal shadow of what it is now without the glory of air conditioning. I absolutely adore these devices and I can't keep them crank from morning till night, and my house is comfortable to a beautiful degree.

Granted I do spend quite a bit of money on electric during the hot season, but it's money well spent, as I just don't know how many years I have left on this earth, and I'm not going to spend them suffering to save a bit of cash!

Just now, spidermike007 said:

Well I suppose you deserve some sort of award for living without air conditioning in April in Thailand. My life would be a truly pal shadow of what it is now without the glory of air conditioning. I absolutely adore these devices and I can't keep them crank from morning till night, and my house is comfortable to a beautiful degree.

Granted I do spend quite a bit of money on electric during the hot season, but it's money well spent, as I just don't know how many years I have left on this earth, and I'm not going to spend them suffering to save a bit of cash!

The design of my place is as such that you don't need it. Once I came home and thought that I had been burgled, as so many things were scattered everywhere. Strong sea breezes flowing through.

Given the choice, I choose beachfront. Bangkok too polluted for me, so usually the islands, at the beach.

Most of the time when I see people complaining about the heat, I have no idea until I go out and about.

On days with no breeze, a fan is enough. No sea breeze is rare.

In fact, since the advent of COVID-19, I have in general avoided air conditioned restaurants. Even malls, as they are strange places, often with no natural light, where you can lose all sense of time, by design.