Bangkok: The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has acknowledged the allegations of price gouging in electricity tariffs. However, the PEA insists that it has adhered strictly to the regulations set forth by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the policies of the Ministry of Energy.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Mongkol Treekitjanon, Governor of the PEA, released an official statement addressing the inclusion of highway lighting costs in household electricity bills, an issue that has attracted widespread criticism. Mr. Treekitjanon emphasized that the details and criteria of the tariff structures align with statements previously made by Mr. Ekanat Promphan, the Minister of Energy.

Mr. Treekitjanon further clarified that the calculation structure for electricity tariffs was established by the ERC. He explained that the PEA and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) function as "implementing agencies," tasked with operating and collecting payments according to the national energy pricing structure and policy. He stressed that these agencies did not create the calculation guidelines independently.