Broken Eletric Meter- enormous bill

[bobthomas]

We bought a house that was an empty shell. It took a few years to finally get it ready to move in. After we moved in we noyticed the bill was low and found the meter was broken. Every month we went to the main electric authority in Banglamung and filled out a repair request. After 6 months they finally replaced it and now they sent us a bill saying we have to pay XXXXXX Baht for the entire time the Meter was broken. They looked at our present usage and decided we must have used that same amount back when the meter was broken. The also use the water bill to estimate the usage for when the meter was broken. According to them, bills for hundreds of thousands of baht are being sent to anyone that had a broken meter. By their bill calculation methods- your house could have been empty, had no air con units, but your gardener watered your plants so therefore you need to pay this really high electric bill.

??

TIT?

[Doc46]

WHY, T. F. did you tell them?????? you know what they like,by telling them you told them that you used more than what was on your bill soooooo they ripped you a second A Hole )

[kingstonkid]

2 things sort of jump out at me here

1. I have to agree why did you tell them. In Canada it is common for the cable company to leave the cable hooked up when a person moves. Hence you get free cable until they catch you at which point you play stupid. Being a "stupid" falang we can play that part easy.

2. While you now that you are getting free cable or hydro you also know that that too shall be rectified and you will end up paying. Out the money that you figure you owe in a bank account and wait. Once they do catch you tell them it must have just happened tha that you just got he AC and the TV and used a cooler as a fridge for the pat month. Pay whatever you have to pay to resolve and bank the rest back into your savings.

I can never understand people that know that there is an issue and know that when it gets solved they are going to have to pay but do not save the money to handle the issue properly.

[jacko45k]

Well you at least owe for 6 months of consumption at the presumed higher rate!

How do they know how long the meter was 'broken'......?

How much are you talking here? Have you been hit with a bill for 'hundreds of thousands of baht'.....or less?

I also live in Banglamung, and one day my meter burst into flames. They hooked me up without meter and took only 2 months to put a new one in. The bill was based on prior consumption for those and to my shame I must admit I was less concerned about turning lights and the AC off for a while.

[Pormax]

Surprised that after reporting for a few months nothing was done to repair or replace the meter.

Like a post above, our meter suddenly burst into flames one evening. Called the help line and had the meter replaced within 2 hours.

I think your main reason for a justifiable complaint is that you reported the problem and it took so long to repair. Though I doubt you have proof of this hence the reason for their calculations.

[chubbychops]

There is a Consumer Protection Boad of Thailand. Google it and complain in ENGLISH so I understand. Welcome to Thailand.

[Khun Jean]

That enormous bill can be better spend for a big a$$ solar system. Then if you are disconnected you are the one with the advantage.