Supachot, a People's Party MP, asked Akeniti whether the 200 billion baht loan is truly for energy transition or if the government is simply trying to find ways to spend all the borrowed money.
On 10 August 2026, Supachot Chaisat, a party-list MP from the People's Party, posted on Facebook regarding the 400 billion baht loan decree aimed at resolving the energy crisis and enabling energy transition. The loan is divided into two main parts: the first 200 billion baht to alleviate living costs and subsidize short-term energy prices, and the second 200 billion baht focusing on energy transition. The Ministry of Finance plans to inject this into long-term structural adjustments, such as promoting Solar Rooftop installations and transitioning public transportation and buses to electric vehicles (EVs).
Supachot expressed growing concern about the government's repeated statements on the use of the 400 billion baht loan, especially the 200 billion baht allocated for energy transition. Recently, the government proposed subsidizing down payments for Solar Rooftop installations at about 50,000 baht per household. If 500,000 to 1,000,000 households participate, this could require 25 to 50 billion baht.
"I support citizens installing solar panels, but the question is why use tens of billions in loans when the government could restructure electricity bills and implement On-bill Financing policies, allowing people to install solar panels first and repay gradually through savings on electricity bills, as the People's Party has consistently proposed."
Supachot also questioned that if the government plans to use up to 50 billion baht in loans, it must clarify how much of this money will truly reach the people and how it will prevent subsidies from driving up installation prices, ultimately benefiting solar panel sellers and certain installers instead.
Second, what exactly will the 200 billion baht be used for? Initially, the government emphasized it was for energy transition, but the latest interview with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Akeniti Nitithanprapas appeared open-ended, admitting that legally the funds could be used for other projects, including the "Thai Help Thai Plus Phase 2" program, without ruling it out.
Supachot said this is very concerning because the 200 billion baht is not government-owned money but debt the public must repay. If the government is borrowing for energy transition, it must clearly explain what the 200 billion baht will achieve, what infrastructure will be built, and how it will reduce energy costs long-term. Starting with the term 'energy transition' but then shifting funds to other projects, especially cash handouts, is misusing the intended purpose.
"Therefore, I want to ask whether the government truly has an energy transition plan or if it just has a 200 billion baht loan and is now looking for projects to spend the money. If the government ends up just borrowing money to give cash to people and then has citizens repay the debt themselves, that cannot be called energy transition."