Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Electricity discount has been switched off

Published

Friday, June 5, 2020 07:59

PHOTO: Khaosod English

Yesterday the Ministry of Energy announced that the national electricity discount from March to May, which differed based on the amount of electricity used and size and type of the venue, has ended and will not be renewed. But, at best, the discount was merely a perfunctory political gesture, not a useful saving for most Thai residences. The discount was 3% for most residents.

The discount was enacted to ease the financial burden of households and businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis. About 22 million homes are expected to be affected. The statement, from the energy minister himself, said the discount was not extended as the situation has stabilised and many people are able to return to work, and the country has been reporting daily virus cases in the single digits for weeks.

But Thailand has still not allowed all businesses to open and millions, based on government estimates, remain out of work, especially in the tourism, hospitality sectors, including bars, nightlife, sports and entertainment venues, due to forced closures and a ban on international arrivals. Moreover, schools are still closed, leaving millions of students stuck at home for extended periods.

The Energy Ministry also noted on their website that the hottest time of the year has passed, and gave tips for those still out of work or working from home on how to save money on electric bills.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News

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Related Topics:3%bills discounts Power Thailand Thais

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3 Comments

ken jones

Friday, June 5, 2020 at 8:07 am

Gee Whiz big spenders. Take away peoples work and give a 3% discount. HMM politicial you bet ! They are not elected. They need to provide party favors.

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Phil

Friday, June 5, 2020 at 3:30 pm

Genius! Half of businesses at <50% capacity, many more closed beyond rescue, and this is they best idea right now? Should be putting money IN to support business, not taking more OUT with utility bills!

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Semper Figuy

Friday, June 5, 2020 at 6:48 pm

I think we need to get further clarification on this. There are actually two different discount programs in effect and both of them were initially from Mar-May but were later changed to April through June. One was the 3% and the other was a discount that would bring the bills down to the February reading for most people. This news article from the Thaiger.com talks only of the 3% discount, so the other must still be in effect unless we can get some confirmation otherwise directly from PEA. The first attachment below is the notice of the 3% and the second is the larger discount. (Sorry, don’t see that I can add attachments)

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Jack Burton

Jack Burton is an American writer, broadcaster, linguist and journalist who has lived in Asia since 1987. A native of the state of Georgia, he attended the The University of Georgia's Henry Grady School of Journalism, which hands out journalism's prestigious Peabody Awards. His works have appeared in The China Post, The South China Morning Post, The International Herald Tribune and many magazines throughout Asia and the world. He is fluent in Mandarin and has appeared on television and radio for decades in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

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