Bangkok: The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has announced a reduction in electricity prices for the January-April 2026 period to 3.88 baht per unit. This adjustment is being introduced as a New Year’s gift to the public.

According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Poonpat Leesombatpaiboon, Secretary-General of the ERC and spokesperson for the organization, explained that during the ERC’s 44/2025 meeting, a proposal was reviewed to adjust the electricity tariff based on the automatic tariff adjustment formula (Ft). Initially, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) proposed a rate of 3.94 baht per unit in order to manage an outstanding cost burden of 6.141 billion baht. However, following a public hearing, PTT Public Company Limited revised the natural gas price trend downward, prompting EGAT to propose a further reduction in the electricity tariff to 3.88 baht per unit, aligning with governmental efforts to lower living costs.

Dr. Poonpat elaborated that the ERC is exercising its authority under Section 67 of the Energy Industry Act B.E. 2550 (2007) to consider EGAT’s revised proposal. The Ft calculation is informed by PTT’s expectation of a decrease in natural gas prices, with the LNG price adjusted from US$12.5/mmBTU to US$11.6/mmBTU. This reduction results in an electricity rate adjustment from the originally proposed 3.94 baht per unit to 3.88 baht per unit, excluding VAT. Consequently, the Ft charge for the specified period will decline from 15.72 satang per unit to 9.72 satang per unit.

Dr. Poonpat emphasized that the review of the electricity tariff is grounded in legal and academic principles, with consideration for financial discipline. The review incorporates the latest fuel cost estimates from EGAT and PTT, alongside EGAT’s proposal to alleviate the AF burden. This approach aims to balance the stability and security of the power system with public energy costs. The ERC will maintain vigilance over the fuel price situation and EGAT’s outstanding costs moving forward.