"Ging" launches a major energy reform, aiming to review tiered residential electricity rates, while global oil markets show positive signs leading to gradual diesel price reductions. "energy reform, electricity rates, diesel prices
On 16 June 2026, Mr. Aeknat Promphan, Minister of Energy, revealed the electricity rate restructuring plan, stating that the ministry's main goal is to ensure the public pays fair prices reflecting actual costs. Currently, they await feedback from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). In the future, the government plans to review the residential electricity rates, where heavy users pay more, as it sees the need to address related issues such as unfair power purchase contracts (so-called "slave contracts") under the Adder scheme, managing system losses like transmission and distribution, and regulating public lighting fees added to residential bills, to improve overall power system efficiency. "energy policy, electricity pricing, government reform
Mr. Aeknat further explained that a key upcoming measure is establishing a new electricity user category (Type 9) specifically for Data Centers. These facilities will pay higher rates due to their very high electricity consumption and reliance on costly imported gas for production. This new pricing will reflect true costs, with the difference used to subsidize household and industrial electricity expenses domestically. Additionally, regarding clean energy, the government will expedite purchasing excess rooftop solar power from citizens by June and prepare financial incentives via state banks, such as down payment assistance or interest rate reductions, to encourage solar installation and electric vehicle adoption (EV). "data centers, electricity rates, solar energy, EV incentives
Regarding oil prices, the Energy Minister noted that global oil prices have started to decline following peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. The ministry has also applied mechanisms to reduce refinery profit margins by over 8.3 billion baht to help lower pump prices. As a result, diesel prices have gradually decreased over the past week and are expected to normalize if Middle East tensions ease. "oil prices, diesel, international relations, refinery profits
As for the oil fund’s status, Mr. Aeknat disclosed that a review using actual figures rather than estimates showed the fund’s deficit has dropped from an expected over 60 billion baht to about 57 billion baht. Additionally, about 30 billion baht have been frozen from certain traders under investigation for profit hoarding. Consequently, the government currently sees no need to issue a royal decree for additional Treasury loan guarantees and will manage within existing loan limits to avoid increasing public debt. "oil fund, government finance, debt management, investigations
In closing, Mr. Aeknat emphasized that the Ministry of Energy is developing permanent mechanisms to oversee refinery gate prices and refining margins, especially during global crises, to prevent excessive refining costs. The ministry plans to amend relevant laws to grant the Energy Policy Administration Committee (EPAC) decisive authority, revisit past lessons on referencing Singapore prices and adding premiums, and establish effective price warning and cap systems for the future. "energy regulation, refining margins, legal reform, price controls"