The government has revealed the success of measures to reduce electricity use for street lighting to help conserve the country's energy, starting from 1 May 2026, achieving up to 40% savings on electricity costs, while advancing the replacement of bulbs with LED lights, aiming to complete 800,000 units by 2028.
On 13 May 2026, Ms. Ploytale Laksamee Sangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a key global energy production and transportation region, the government is seriously focusing on managing the country's energy resources. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all government agencies and state enterprises under government oversight to strictly implement energy-saving measures according to government policy and to consider appropriate actions.
Ms. Ploytale added that throughout the past period, all government agencies have strictly implemented energy-saving measures, resulting in tangible energy savings. Specifically, the Department of Rural Roads (DRR) under the Ministry of Transport has reduced energy use on rural highways under conditions that do not compromise safety standards, ensuring appropriate and optimal electricity use. The measure targets reducing street lighting electricity use in rural highway areas with low risk, averaging 60 vehicles per hour. The DRR's study concluded that public safety and national security are paramount, especially at intersections and curves, which require special caution.
"Since implementing the measures from 1 May 2026, electricity costs have been reduced by up to 40%. Additionally, the DRR plans to replace bulbs with LED lights, targeting a total of 800,000 bulbs, to be replaced gradually and expected to be completed by 2028," she said.