"Jaepueng" takes a tough stance, ordering the Consumer Protection Board to strictly regulate dormitories and apartments, banning any profit added to electricity fees and threatening violators with up to 1 year in prison and a 200,000 baht fine.
On 17 July 2026, Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and supervisor of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), announced progress on measures to assist the public. This follows the National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) meeting on 15 July, which approved seven measures to reduce electricity costs, notably extending the right for tenants in houses, dormitories, and apartments to pay the same electricity rates as general residential households.
Ms. Supamas stated that the government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritizes reducing living costs in every aspect. The NEPC's resolution benefits tenants directly, including reducing electricity rates for the first 200 units to 3 baht per unit and expanding the definition to include tenants and dormitory residents. The CPB has already set up protection mechanisms through the "Announcement on Contracts: Making Residential Rental Business a Regulated Contract Business B.E. 2568 (2025)," which is now in effect.
"The government reduces electricity costs at the source, but this discount means nothing if tenants are still charged extra profit at the end. The CPB has clearly stipulated that water and electricity charges in rental rooms must be billed at actual cost with no added profit. When the government lowers prices, businesses must pass the full discount on to tenants," Ms. Supamas emphasized.
Additionally, to tighten these measures, Ms. Supamas, along with Mr. Pradermchai Boonchuaylue, Ministerial Advisor; Dr. Patcharin Samsiripong, Ministerial Secretary; and Mr. Ronarong Poolpivat, Secretary-General of the CPB, led proactive inspections at dormitories in Ramkhamhaeng, Bangkok, and Udonthani province to reinforce compliance among operators.
Key provisions of the new contract regulation announcement include: no profit can be added to water and electricity fees; operators must charge no more than the actual rates billed by the Electricity and Water Authorities and clearly state the calculation method in contracts; advance rent and security deposits combined cannot exceed three months' rent; security deposits must be returned within seven days after contract termination if there is no damage; violators face up to one year imprisonment, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both.
The Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office has ordered the CPB Secretary-General to rapidly expand inspections of rental businesses nationwide, especially as the new electricity rates come into effect. This will include integrating data with the Energy Regulatory Commission, Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Provincial Electricity Authority, and provincial Damrongtham centers to prevent tenant exploitation.
Tenants nationwide are urged to check their monthly water and electricity bills carefully. If overcharged, unfairly withheld deposits, or exploitation is found, complaints can be filed immediately via the CPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, the website www.ocpb.go.th, or provincial Damrongtham centers. The CPB will rigorously enforce the law.