Thai PM Pressured to Dissolve House Over Skyrocketing Power Costs

[webfact]

PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra. File photo courtesy: Thai Rath

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces intense pressure to dissolve Thailand's House of Representatives over her perceived inability to address soaring power bills affecting Thai households. Key leaders, including activist Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, hold her accountable for not achieving lower electricity rates—a pressing economic strain felt by consumers nationwide.

 

Nattapong, a prominent people's leader, has urged the Prime Minister to take immediate responsibility and step down by dissolving the House. He argues this step is vital to pave the way for fresh elections and a new government that can tackle the lingering energy cost crisis more effectively.

 

The crux of the discontent lies in Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s handling of decisions made by the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), the governmental body managing power purchases and pricing. Critics, including Nattapong, argue that Paetongtarn, wielding significant influence, should have been able to guide NEPC decisions more forcefully, given that many council members also serve in her cabinet.

 

Despite Paetongtarn's reasoning that she could not sway collective council decisions dominated by powerful energy producers like Ratch Group Pcl. and Gulf Energy Development Pcl., this defence has not satisfied her critics. Nattapong labelled her justifications as "lame and irrational," suggesting that her government’s claimed initiatives to lower electricity costs lacked genuine commitment or urgency.

Adding to the intrigue, Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s father and Pheu Thai's influential figure, Thaksin Shinawatra, was seen playing golf recently with top energy executives and political figures, including Gulf Energy CEO Sarath Ratanavadi and Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjaithai. Such engagements raise eyebrows amidst ongoing fuel cost negotiations, stirring public and political speculation about potential conflicts of interest and backdoor dealings.

 

The growing dissatisfaction over energy costs signifies a looming political showdown. Nattapong warns that unless Paetongtarn addresses the power rate crisis head-on, it could become a focal point for a likely no-confidence motion in Parliament. Meanwhile, her critics continue to clamor for immediate reforms or her resignation, painting a turbulent political picture as Thailand wrestles with its economic challenges.

 

Whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn will act by dissolving the House or find another path to soothe discontent remains uncertain. As the situation unfolds, public attention focuses intently on how these critical economic and political decisions will shape Thailand’s near future, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

-- 2024-12-26

 

 

[anchadian]

How many more similar reports will we hear about this.

Nothing will happen and we all know it.

[quake]

Oops. 

[BritManToo]

Don't understand, I've been paying 4bht/unit for the last 12 years.

How has it been skyrocketing?

[daveAustin]

Nowt will happen and 'they' don't give a F anyway (esp her family) because it wouldn't affect them. And neither does it so in my own county, one of the supposed bastions of (now long gone) democracies... a place where the non-elected privileged pass over this 'n that law. Where is Guy Fawkes & co when you need them?!

[VincentRJ]

17 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Don't understand, I've been paying 4bht/unit for the last 12 years.

How has it been skyrocketing?

 

I just did an internet search for electricity prices in Asean countries. Thailand is not too bad; 5th lowest out of ten countries.

https://www.lekise.com/en/blog/2024/08/how-do-thailands-electricity-costs-compare-to-other-asean-countries

 

1. Singapore average 8.01 Baht/Unit
2. Philippines average 7.10 Baht/Unit
3. Cambodia average 5.45 Baht/Unit
4. Indonesia average 4.21 Baht/Unit
5. Thailand average 4.18 Bht/Unit 
6. Vietnam average 3.57 Baht/Unit
7. Laos average 2.29 Baht/Unit
8. Malaysia average 1.80 Baht/Unit
9. Myanmar average 1.70 Baht/Unit
10. Brunei average 1.48 Baht/Unit

[Crossy]

30 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Don't understand, I've been paying 4bht/unit for the last 12 years.

How has it been skyrocketing?

 

Yeah, the PEA tariff and Ft haven't changed in the past 12 months.

 

More of a damp squib than a skyrocket.

[JoePai]

For the Brits in comparison it's about 10.5 Baht/unit

[TheAppletons]

Nonsensical reason to dissolve the House of Representatives.  

[Tropicalevo]

The dinosaurs are clutching at straws in their attempt to get back into power.

This has nothing to do with electricity costs.

It is all to do with propaganda and telling the people that they are paying more and that it is Thaksin's fault.

'False advertising' as the saying goes.

Print it in papers and put it on the net so people think that it must be true.

[phetphet]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Adding to the intrigue, Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s father and Pheu Thai's influential figure, Thaksin Shinawatra, was seen playing golf recently with top energy executives and political figures, including Gulf Energy CEO Sarath Ratanavadi and Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjaithai.

Playing golf? Wow! That is some recovery from last year.

 

But dissolving the House? Looks like some people just can't wait to get their noses in the trough.

and that's the biggest problem here, most politicians seem to be in it for themselves rather than the country.

Getting to be the same in many countries nowadays. Public service? Pfff. What's in it for me?

[BarBoy]

36 minutes ago, phetphet said:

most politicians seem to be in it for themselves rather than the country.

...seem to be??

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Don't understand, I've been paying 4bht/unit for the last 12 years.

How has it been skyrocketing?

Unit prices vary

[mfd101]

The solution to life's problems is obvious: Increase my wages and reduce costs.

 

Any guvamint that can't do that should be overthrown by the masses.

[The Cyclist]

I got my Chrimbo present from PEA today.

 

Still 0.39 Baht a unit.

[scorecard]

9 hours ago, anchadian said:

How many more similar reports will we hear about this.

Nothing will happen and we all know it.

 

Let's face it, she doesn't know who to contact / how to tackle the problem / who to pressure, etc.

[UWEB]

35 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Let's face it, she doesn't know who to contact / how to tackle the problem / who to pressure, etc.

What for a problem, prices for Power are very low .

[Crossy]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Unit prices vary

 

Whilst this is true, power gets more expensive the more you use, the actual base tariff hasn't changed since January 10, 2024.

 

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of Thailand set new electricity charges, ranging from 4.68 baht to 5.95 baht/unit from January until April 2024. However, the government later intervened and reduced the rate to 4.18 baht per kWh for households consuming less than 300 kWh per month.

 

The Fuel Tariff (Ft) has also remained constant during the same period, meaning that if you use the same amount of energy your bill will be the same as it was in February this year.

 

Nothing has rocketed, sky or otherwise. Bills have of course increased over the summer, because people are using more energy for aircon during the hot weather.

[connda]

High electricity costs don't affect billionaires or their familial proxies.

"Let them use candles!"

[edwinchester]

On 12/26/2024 at 8:01 AM, JoePai said:

For the Brits in comparison it's about 10.5 Baht/unit

Cheap in the UK then if you compare average wages in the UK and in Thailand.