Free Water!

[sweetchariot]

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Got my water bill yesterday, and the balance due was 0, along with a note saying something like the government will pay all water charges until January 2009.

Whilst the water at my house is not very expensive (about 400 baht per month), I always enjoy something for free. Just wondered if anyone knew the reasoning behind this. Is it just a Pattaya thing, or is it nationwide? Why are they doing it? (my guess is to pre-empt any complaints over inevitable water shortages in the dry season). Does this apply to just houses, or businesses/ condo's as well?

This will inevitably lead to higher consumption, which can't be a good thing certainly here in Pattaya with resevoir levels still too low.

[PoorSucker]

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Got my water bill yesterday, and the balance due was 0, along with a note saying something like the government will pay all water charges until January 2009.

Whilst the water at my house is not very expensive (about 400 baht per month), I always enjoy something for free. Just wondered if anyone knew the reasoning behind this. Is it just a Pattaya thing, or is it nationwide? Why are they doing it? (my guess is to pre-empt any complaints over inevitable water shortages in the dry season). Does this apply to just houses, or businesses/ condo's as well?

This will inevitably lead to higher consumption, which can't be a good thing certainly here in Pattaya with resevoir levels still too low.

Got my waterbill today 139 baht

[Bangyai]

Didn't bother reading ours as its always about 100 baht a month. Took it down Big C to pay it and was told, like you, that the govournment was paying my bill. She then explained that they were trying to help poor people make ends meet. Nice. So at last my pauper status has official recognition. She declined to pay for our groceries though. Pity that.

[PoorSucker]

To bad this not last over songkran.

Does this apply to all customers?

Golf course owners must be planning for a new Mercedes.

[chickenslegs]

According to mrs chickenslegs it is all part of the government scheme to help the poorer citizens who have suffered most from fuel cost inflation.

During the next 6 months there will be some free bus services, free water and electricity and a 3-5 baht per litre reduction in fuel prices.

The free water and electricity only applies to low consumers. Something like 150 baht per month water bills and 1000 baht per month electricity bills (she's not absolutely sure).

If your bill is more than this, you have to pay the full amount - so it doesn't subsidise the middle-to-high income households.

Seems like a good idea to me - and not likely to cause increased consumption.

Edit: Speling

Edited August 10, 2008 by chickenslegs

[JetsetBkk]

...If your bill is more than this, you have to pay the full amount...

So I have to pay the full amount? Not bl00dy likely!

[Bangyai]

According to mrs chickenslegs it is all part of the government scheme to help the poorer citizens who have suffered most from fuel cost inflation.

During the next 6 months there will be some free bus services, free water and electricity and a 3-5 baht per litre reduction in fuel prices.

The free water and electricity only applies to low consumers. Something like 150 baht per month water bills and 1000 baht per month electricity bills (she's not absolutely sure).

If your bill is more than this, you have to pay the full amount - so it doesn't subsidise the middle-to-high income households.

Seems like a good idea to me - and not likely to cause increased consumption.

Edit: Speling

hel_l, our electric bill is allways just over the 1000 baht mark. If this help the poor thing applies to the electric bill too I think I'll throttle back on the air con a bit. How long is this scheme going to last ? Heard it on the news in Thai but took no notice as being a falang I'm not used to recieving hand outs in Thailand.

[sweetchariot]

According to mrs chickenslegs it is all part of the government scheme to help the poorer citizens who have suffered most from fuel cost inflation.

During the next 6 months there will be some free bus services, free water and electricity and a 3-5 baht per litre reduction in fuel prices.

The free water and electricity only applies to low consumers. Something like 150 baht per month water bills and 1000 baht per month electricity bills (she's not absolutely sure).

If your bill is more than this, you have to pay the full amount - so it doesn't subsidise the middle-to-high income households.

Seems like a good idea to me - and not likely to cause increased consumption.

Edit: Speling

As I said our water is normally about 400, but looking at this one it was only 196 due to not watering the garden so much with all the rain, so not sure what the thresholds are.

I will await my leccy bill with (nearly) baited breath.

[coreyp2]

I just got an electricity bill for 0.00

I was away most of the month and used only 211 bt worth.

Pity I could have saved much more if I'd been here!