I hope this is the right forum for this question. I'm currently consuming an extremely high amount of electric due to the size of my house and the heat that we are currently experiencing. Does anybody have any experience with the PEA two-tiered pricing system which allows for a discounted price at night and on the weekends in exchange for a higher price during the day? I'm trying to find information online, but as usual the PEA website is very weak.

I plan to visit the PEA office but in the interim I thought somebody might have information about rates and savings to see if it's worth it.

According to Gemini (FWIW):

In the current 2026 landscape, with the average power tariff sitting around 3.95 THB per unit, switching to TOU can be a game-changer if your lifestyle fits the schedule.

How the TOU System Works:

The TOU system replaces the standard "progressive" rate (where the more you use, the more expensive each unit becomes) with a flat-rate split based on when you use the power.

| Period | Days/Times | 2026 Estimated Rate (approx.) |

| On-Peak | Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM | ~5.80 THB / unit |

| Off-Peak | Mon–Fri, 10:00 PM – 9:00 AM | ~2.60 THB / unit |

| Off-Peak | Sat, Sun, & Public Holidays (all day) | ~2.60 THB / unit |

Note: The "Off-Peak" rate is significantly cheaper than the standard average, but the "On-Peak" rate is roughly 50% higher than the normal average.

Is it worth it for you?

The "Win" Scenario: If you (or your family) are out of the house during the day or can resist blasting the AC until after 10:00 PM, the savings are massive. It is especially beneficial if you run pool pumps, laundry, or dishwashers at night or on weekends.

The "Risk" Scenario: If you have people home all day (WFH, kids, or elderly family) who require AC during the blistering 1:00 PM heat, the "On-Peak" surcharge can actually make your bill higher than the standard rate.

Costs and Setup

1. The Meter: You will need to pay for a new digital TOU meter. Depending on your home's phase system (Single-phase vs. Three-phase), this typically costs between 5,000 to 15,000 THB.

2. The Application: You can apply at your local PEA office. You’ll need your house registration (Tabien Baan), ID/Passport, and the latest bill.

3. The Wait: Once applied and paid, it usually takes 2–4 weeks for them to come out and swap the meter.

Pro-Tip for 2026:

Many people with large homes in Thailand are now pairing the TOU meter with a small solar setup. The solar covers your expensive "On-Peak" daytime usage, and the TOU meter gives you dirt-cheap power for your AC at night.

If you decide to go to the PEA office, ask them for a "TOU Comparison Sheet." They can sometimes run a simulation based on your last three months of usage to see if you would have actually saved money.

In most civilised countries the more electricity units you use, the cheaper it gets.

And there is a discount system where you get discount for using less than 300 units.

No effing good when they come to read your meter three or four days late.

I am on normal tariff and pay average Bht 4.25 per unit whatever time of day.

ACs go on at 6pm until 10pm, enough for us lot.

34 minutes ago, wil iam not said:

In most civilised countries the more electricity units you use, the cheaper it gets.

And there is a discount system where you get discount for using less than 300 units.

No effing good when they come to read your meter three or four days late.

I think you have to check your claims, higher usage is normally higher especially in peak periods.

We have been paying flat out 7 baht pr unit for construction tariff, because we are to far away from the meter, even the loss and cost for the lines and poles is on us.

So solar power have been great for us.

2026
17-Jan	30	47774	165	3.34	550.59	24.62	65.54	-47.43	41.53	634.85		634.85	3.85	5.50	21.16
17-Feb	31	47983	209	3.52	736.35	24.62	20.31		54.69	835.97		835.97	4.00	6.74	26.97
18-Mar	29	48321	338	3.79	1280.96	24.62	32.85		93.69	1432.12		1432.12	4.24	11.66	49.38
17-Apr	30	48644	323	3.77	1217.63	24.62	118.61		95.26	1456.12		1456.12	4.51	10.77	48.54

I thought that it would benefit us, after we bought an EV, which we only charge at home at night, but the higher peak rates and the monthly fee for the TOU meter, makes it totally not worth it for us to change. Here is how it works in Bangkok: https://www.mea.or.th/our-services/tariff-calculation/other/D5xEaEwgU

Adding grid-tied solar can improve ROI for TOU metering as it generates all its power during sunlight hours.

What is the rate for apartments condos...minimum of 7 Baht and then the owner adds some spice on top as they feel ?

So my house is almost half that anyway. Running the a/c a lot more through April with awful weather and air in Chiang Mai.

54 minutes ago, Xonax said:

I thought that it would benefit us, after we bought an EV, which we only charge at home at night, but the higher peak rates and the monthly fee for the TOU meter, makes it totally not worth it for us to change. Here is how it works in Bangkok: https://www.mea.or.th/our-services/tariff-calculation/other/D5xEaEwgU

So in addition to having to pay a significant amount of money for the special meter they also require a monthly fee for it? How much is that, do you know?

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

So in addition to having to pay a significant amount of money for the special meter they also require a monthly fee for it? How much is that, do you know?

For PEA the TOU service charge is 312.24 Baht as opposed to 24.62 Baht for a normal meter.

I assume (dangerous I know) MEA is similar.

It is worth noting that with the modern electronic meters the hardware is (ok, should be, TiT) identical it's just the way the meter is configured / read that differs.

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

For PEA the TOU service charge is 312.24 Baht as opposed to 24.62 Baht for a normal meter.

I assume (dangerous I know) MEA is similar.

This maybe out of date as it May 2023 at the time PEA had different TOU service charges based on voltage

1.2 Time of Use Rate

1.2.1 At voltage level 22 - 33 kV. service charge B312.24

1.2.2 At voltage level lower than 22 kV. service charge B24.62

https://www.pea.co.th/sites/default/files/documents/tariff/EN_Electricity_Tariffs_May_2023.pdf

3 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

This maybe out of date as it May 2023 at the time PEA had different TOU service charges based on voltage

1.2 Time of Use Rate

1.2.1 At voltage level 22 - 33 kV. service charge B312.24

1.2.2 At voltage level lower than 22 kV. service charge B24.62

https://www.pea.co.th/sites/default/files/documents/tariff/EN_Electricity_Tariffs_May_2023.pdf

Yeah, I screwed up missed selecting the <22kV numbers as the English site died.