How Many Appliances Can You Use with 200 Units/Month? A Deep Dive into Thailands New Electricity Tariff Structure Starting June 2026 and Who Pays More

As oil prices surge, electricity costs are also rising. Recently, the Ministry of Energy announced a major overhaul of Thailand’s electricity tariff structure, set to begin with the June 2026 billing cycle. Although the government emphasizes that low electricity users will pay less, how much more will larger households with higher usage have to pay? And how should they plan to manage this? Thairath Money has summarized the key points in this article.

New electricity tariff structure: who pays what?

. Eknat Promphan, Minister of Energy, explained that under the new tariff structure starting June 2026, the first 200 units of electricity will be charged at no more than 3 baht per unit. Those using more than this will pay higher rates, divided into three groups:

• Group 1: Electricity users consuming less than 200 units per month. This rate of up to 3 baht applies to 15.4 million households.
• Group 2: Electricity users consuming 200 to 400 units per month. They will pay 3.95 baht per unit (the standard rate). This group includes 4.6 million households.
• Group 3: Electricity users consuming more than 401 units per month. They will be charged a tiered rate, with adjustments pending, expected to exceed 5 baht per unit (previously 4.50 baht per unit). This group comprises 3.2 million households.

This tariff revision is based on the principle that "those who use less electricity should pay lower rates, while heavy users should pay more." Eknat explained that high electricity consumption forces Thailand to import more natural gas for power generation.

. For households consuming more than 480-500 units monthly, the government recommends installing solar panels to generate their own electricity. For those lacking the budget, the government plans to offer low-interest loans, around 3% with a 10-year repayment term (though the accessibility of these programs for the general public remains to be seen).

What can you power with 200 units per month?

Many people wonder how much the 200-unit monthly quota, with reduced rates, actually covers. To clarify, here is an example of household electricity usage from the Industrial and Environmental Management Engineering Department at Sisaket Rajabhat University, presented in simple terms.

Example of electricity usage in a typical home:

• Four 36W light bulbs used 5 hours per day.
• One 50W fan used 12 hours per day.
• One 150W refrigerator running 24 hours per day (typically operating at 50% duty cycle).
• One 9,000 BTU air conditioner consuming 800W, used 12 hours per day.

This totals approximately 7.92 units per day, or about 237.6 units per month. In this example, the household falls into the second group, meaning they will pay the "extra" electricity cost for the roughly 37.6 units exceeding the 200-unit quota. They might need to adjust their electricity use to save more.

For households with many members running multiple air conditioners and more than one refrigerator, electricity consumption likely exceeds 200 units monthly. To manage long-term electricity costs, the government recommends installing solar panels, but what budget is required?

Breaking down the costs of installing solar panels.

Each household's electricity usage and peak times vary, so solar panel installations must be tailored to the household's lifestyle. Interesting data comes from Krungsri Bank, which provides preliminary price estimates for three system sizes:

• Small homes that use 1-2 air conditioners (15,000 BTU) during the day, one refrigerator, one TV, and about 15 light bulbs. A 3-kilowatt peak (KWp) solar system is suitable, with installation costs ranging from 120,000 to 200,000 baht.
• Medium to large homes using 3 air conditioners (25,000 - 30,000 BTU), 2-3 refrigerators, 2-3 TVs, and about 25 light bulbs during the day. A 5 KWp system fits, costing between 180,000 and 255,000 baht to install.
• Large homes using 3 to 5 air conditioners (25,000 - 30,000 BTU), 3-4 refrigerators, 3-4 TVs, and about 50 light bulbs during the day. A 10 KWp system is appropriate, with installation costs between 290,000 and 400,000 baht.

Ultimately, installation costs depend on the provider and system type (Off Grid, On Grid, Hybrid System), so buyers should carefully verify options before deciding. Additionally, in 2026, those installing On Grid solar systems (connected to the Electricity Authority system, drawing power when self-generation is insufficient) can claim personal income tax deductions.

Read more here:Think carefully before installing Solar Rooftop: personal tax deductions up to 200,000 baht, plus credit card and solar promotions.

References:Krungsri Bank,,Sisaket Rajabhat University,, Ministry of Energy.

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