Bangkok: The government is taking significant steps to alleviate electricity costs for 40,000 households by adjusting rates for those using "temporary meters" to residential rates, starting with the September 2026 billing cycle.
According to Thai News Agency, the government has reiterated that households utilizing temporary meters for residential purposes will have their September bills scrutinized. If they meet the necessary conditions, the rate will be adjusted to the residential rate, with the first 200 units of energy costing no more than 3 baht per unit. Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced the initiative under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's leadership, emphasizing efforts to reduce electricity costs and ensure fairness for residents still dependent on temporary electricity meters.
These adjustments align with the Energy Regulatory Commission's (ERC) guidelines, designed to assist residents lacking permanent addresses but consistently using electricity for residential purposes. Previously, these users were subject to a temporary electricity rate of 6.8024 baht per unit. However, starting with the September 2026 billing cycle, they will transition to the residential rate.
Under the residential electricity rate, the initial 200 units will be charged at a maximum of 3 baht per unit. Subsequent units beyond the first 200 will follow the tiered residential electricity tariff. It is essential to note that this rate applies solely to the energy cost. The final electricity bill includes additional components according to the tariff structure, so the 3 baht per unit should not be construed as the net rate for every unit or the average for the entire bill.
Ms. Lalida highlighted that qualifying for this measure requires users of temporary electricity meters to demonstrate actual residential use and maintain a payment history of at least six months. This measure excludes other types of temporary electricity usage, such as construction sites. The ERC anticipates nearly 40,000 households will benefit from this initiative.
Ms. Lalida urged customers using temporary electricity meters for residential purposes with at least six months of payment history to verify their bills starting from the September billing cycle. If they find themselves still charged at the temporary electricity rate, she advised them to retain their bills as evidence and contact the relevant agency for investigation and correction according to the regulations.
For inquiries or reporting issues, the public can use the LINE Official Account 'ERC Voice' (@ERCvoice), the ERC Office Facebook Page, or the Information Service Center at 0 2207 3599 or 1204 during business hours.
Ms. Lalida also emphasized that this measure aims to reduce the disparity in electricity costs among people using electricity for similar residential purposes and to assist households that previously paid temporary rates for extended periods to receive rates more reflective of their actual electricity usage.