High-voltage power lines and pylons used by Pathum Thani Provincial Electricity Authority. Pattanapong Hirunard
Authorities have postponed a plan to impose higher electricity rates on large households with heavy consumption, citing the need to revise how power bills are calculated, says Energy Minister Akanat Promphan.The new electricity prices were proposed by the Energy Regulatory Commission last month and slated for enforcement in July. They are based on progressive power tariff rates, which increase when people use more electricity.
Small households consuming 1-200 units of electricity are charged between 2.34 and 3 baht per unit, while larger households using 201 units or more face a higher rate of 4.96-5.45 baht per unit.
"The new rates are not appropriate," said Mr Akanat, citing negative reactions from various groups of people following a public hearing last week.
"Big families don't rack up high electricity bills because they're wasteful -- it's usually because there are more people living in the house and that naturally drives up power use."
