Thailand’s Department of Rural Roads (DRR) will begin reducing street lighting on selected low-risk rural routes nationwide from 1 May 2026, aiming to cut state energy costs and improve resource efficiency. The measure will target areas with low traffic volumes, particularly outside community zones or during off-peak hours. Authorities stressed that lighting will remain fully operational in high-risk areas to maintain road safety.

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The announcement was made on 25 April by the DRR as part of a broader campaign encouraging public participation in national energy-saving efforts. The policy allows for selective dimming or shutdown of lighting where risk assessments indicate minimal danger. However, critical locations such as intersections, sharp bends, bottlenecks, densely populated areas and high-traffic routes will continue to have normal lighting.

The department reaffirmed that safety remains the top priority, alongside energy conservation. Additional measures, including clearer warning signs and improved traffic signals, will be implemented to ensure drivers can navigate safely even in areas with reduced lighting. Motorists are advised to exercise increased caution, ensure headlights are properly used and strictly follow traffic laws.

The move reflects ongoing efforts by authorities to manage rising energy costs while balancing infrastructure needs. Officials expressed confidence that cooperation from road users will support the transition towards more sustainable energy use without compromising safety. Public understanding and compliance are seen as key factors in the initiative’s success.

The Standard reported that from 1 May onwards, the DRR will monitor the effectiveness of the policy and may adjust implementation based on traffic patterns and safety outcomes. Members of the public seeking further information can contact regional rural road offices nationwide or call the DRR hotline at 1146.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now TheStandard 26 Apr 2026

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That will help, aren;t there enough unlit, badly parked, vehicles being run into in Thailand!

Nothing wrong with that, good for them. Seems like a sensible thing to do

It’s an interesting move, but I do wonder about the safety angle.

There is research from various countries (Cochrane, UK government, and RoSPA) that dimmer or insufficient street lighting can correlate with higher accident rates, especially in rural areas where visibility is already poor.

From personal experience, Thailand’s street lighting often feels dimmer than what you see in many other countries, so reducing it further might not be the smartest place to cut costs. Rural roads are already risky enough with unlit vehicles, stray animals and inconsistent road markings.

Cost‑saving is understandable, but hopefully they balance it with proper safety data rather than just switching off lights and hoping for the best.

The fairly significant "Rural Road" which runs alongside the river between Chiang Rai and Wiang Chiang Rung has over the last months been equipped with street lighting.

However since only about 10% of these light are connected to electricity (the remainder do not even have an adjacent electric supply!) they are making substantial savings.

I can't help wonder if the contractor involved is the same chap who installed the two totally unnecessary traffic light systems at two road junctions in Wiang Chiang Rung last year?

Connections perhaps? I don't mean the electrical sort.

Meanwhile my end of the village is into it's second month of only a trickle of water for a couple of hours a morning.

Luckily the Poo Yai Bann and all his extended family and mates live in the other end of the village!

Edited April 26Apr 26 by JAG

They are continuing to install new lights on non major roads up here at a frantic pace. Their spacing is much closer than it needs to be to give a decent coverage of the road. You do not need the car lights on they are that close together. And now they want to dim them, so why put them there in the first place.

Electricity is not free even to them.

Just build a coal plant or a nuke.

Just use solar powered street lights. Problem solved.

16 hours ago, jacko45k said:

That will help, aren;t there enough unlit, badly parked, vehicles being run into in Thailand!

Add in the extra dark windscreen tint that many cars seem to have and there is bound to be an increase in accidents.

Maybe adding some solar powered street lights might help decrease costs. The authorities have installed some not too far from me.

7 hours ago, phetphet said:

Add in the extra dark windscreen tint that many cars seem to have and there is bound to be an increase in accidents.

Maybe adding some solar powered street lights might help decrease costs. The authorities have installed some not too far from me.

I use Hwy 36 a lot near Pattaya and there is always a stretch unlit at night between Pong and Sukhumvit..... and a good chance of a U-Turn being in that stretch. The odd dark Samlor will try to use that and it really makes the hairs stand up on my neck!

Edited April 26Apr 26 by jacko45k