Weerayut points out that energy transition is not just about increasing EVs and solar power; he emphasizes that without energy transition, Thailand's economy cannot continue.
On 14 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Weerayut Kanchuchat, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the Prachachon Party, participated as a speaker at the seminar "Driving Green Industry Towards Sustainability (SDGs)," organized by the Industry Commission of the House of Representatives. He highlighted the importance of preparing the country's Power Development Plan (PDP 2026), noting concerns about stakeholder participation and fossil fuel reduction.
He warned against misunderstanding the shift to electrification as merely adding electric vehicles or solar panels. Instead, Thailand must boldly "replace" and significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which still make up 80% of its energy mix. Otherwise, the country cannot genuinely achieve its climate crisis goals.
Weerayut stressed that without accelerating energy transition, Thailand cannot transform its economy. Clean electricity has become a decisive factor in trade competitiveness, especially for exports to premium markets such as Europe and Australia. Currently, Thailand's clean power production is below the global average. A survey from the "Tailor the Transition" report, by the Economic Development Commission in cooperation with GIZ, indicates that the clean electricity demand gap for investors will grow to 70% by 2030 and reach 80% by 2035, risking investor relocation or refusal of new investment phases.
The deputy leader of the Prachachon Party also proposed that the government design policies targeting specific industry groups, such as supporting SMEs in automotive parts to upgrade machinery, promoting biomass and biogas in the food sector, and applying carbon capture technology in petrochemical industries to maintain competitiveness and drive sustainable economic growth in Thailand.