National —
On July 12th, 2024, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of Thailand announced that the rising cost of fuel for electricity production will lead to higher electricity prices from September to December.
This increase, coupled with the need to repay past fuel debts to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), means that electricity prices for September to December will rise significantly.
The Fuel Adjustment Charge (Ft) will increase by 46.83-182.99 satang per unit (100 satang = 1 baht). When combined with the base electricity rate of 3.7833 baht per unit, the total electricity charge will rise to 4.65-6.01 baht per unit, compared to 4.18 baht per unit in the May-August period.
On July 13th, Thai reporters conducted a survey in Trang Municipality, gathering opinions from residents about the upcoming increase in electricity costs. Many expressed concern about the financial burden this will place on their households, particularly given the current economic conditions.
Higher electricity bills are expected to affect living expenses, household budgets, and the operational costs of various businesses. Sectors such as laundromats, hotel operators, and other small enterprises will be directly impacted, facing increased costs at a time when they are already struggling with economic challenges.
Residents worry that these rising costs will further strain their finances and affect their livelihoods, according to Thai reporters.