Category: The Bangkok Post

The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to determine who should bear the cost of electricity for public street lighting, an expense currently shouldered solely by consumers, which contributes to rising household power bills.

An energy official who requested anonymity said the deliberation aims to revise the electricity pricing structure to ensure greater transparency and fairness.

The push is being led by Energy Minister Akanat Promphan, who has criticised the decades-old practice of including public lighting costs in consumer bills.

The official said the NEPC, chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, must decide whether state agencies and the public should share this financial responsibility.

The roots of the issue date back to 1987, when the NEPC exempted state agencies such as the Department of Highways and local administrative bodies from paying for public lighting.

At the time, the cost was minimal, averaging 0.03 baht per unit. Today the rate has climbed to 0.1 baht per unit, adding noticeable pressure to household expenses, said the official.

The matter has largely been ignored for nearly four decades, until the government recently introduced measures to ease electricity costs amid an energy crisis linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Mr Akanat argued that local administrative organisations should contribute to public lighting expenses because they generate their own revenue and do not rely solely on government allocations.

While clarity is expected from the meeting, officials caution that changes to electricity bills may take time to implement.

The NEPC is also reviewing renewable energy purchase agreements between companies and state electricity agencies.

The government continues to buy renewable power at high prices even though the adder tariff granted for 10 years has expired. The extra cost is passed directly to consumers, driving up electricity bills.

The eight-baht tariff was introduced to spur investment in solar and wind farms.

The official said the NEPC plans to examine why state agencies still pay inflated rates despite the tariff’s expiry.

Industry sources note companies can still sell electricity at high prices because they benefit from a wholesale tariff of 3.78 baht per unit and the fuel tariff, both included in the final rate.

Another development under Energy Ministry consideration is the creation of a new electricity user category for data centres. These facilities, which operate around the clock and consume large amounts of electricity, are expected to be grouped under Category 9.

They would face higher tariffs reflecting actual infrastructure and fuel costs, with the additional revenue used to subsidise electricity prices for households and smaller businesses, according to Mr Akanat.

Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat has rejected claims that the Department of Special Investigation rushed its investigation into the Forex fraud case involving People’s Party list MP Pawoot Pongvitayapanu.

He insisted investigators had followed normal legal procedures based on forensic and financial evidence.

Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said the Criminal Court had approved arrest warrants for only two suspects, despite the DSI seeking warrants for 24 individuals.

The court did not approve a warrant for Mr Pawoot. Instead, the DSI must issue summonses to the remaining 22 suspects requiring them to acknowledge the charges.

In Mr Pawoot’s case, the DSI will issue an initial summons for him to hear the allegations.

Responding to criticism that the investigation had been accelerated, the minister said the DSI had been conducting its inquiry continuously and had gathered evidence through forensic analysis, particularly of financial transactions.

He also said he did not know the identities of the two suspects for whom arrest warrants had been approved.

Sources said DSI investigators had begun issuing summonses to the 22 suspects.

Investigation reports submitted in support of the warrant applications alleged that several companies served as payment channels and intermediaries for fund transfers before funds reached personal accounts, with additional transactions involving digital asset service providers between 2021 and 2024.

The reports said Mr Pawoot allegedly received 14 transfers of 2 million baht each on July 18, 2024 and that cumulative transactions linked to his accounts totalled more than 833 million baht.

The DSI stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and that all accused individuals and companies are presumed innocent unless proven guilty under the law.

On the DSI’s separate investigation into alleged criminal association and money laundering linked to Senate election collusion, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said the agency was awaiting a final ruling from the Election Commission (EC) in line with instructions from the special public prosecutor, who had directed the DSI to incorporate the EC’s findings into its own case file.

He said the DSI had only brought charges against eight suspects because of the available evidence.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering reviewing its shareholder disclosure framework to strengthen investor confidence and avoid a repeat of the recent incorrect self-declared reporting that involved True Corporation.

Anek Yooyuen, deputy secretary-general and spokesman for the SEC, said the regulator is in the final stages of gathering and assessing evidence following a joint fact-finding process with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) of the Royal Thai Police regarding an individual who appeared in SEC filings as the reported owner of a 7% stake in True.

True executives said they were unaware of Supaporn Phimpong being a shareholder in the telecom company.

She also filed reports claiming substantial stakes in other blue-chip companies, including Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Major Cineplex, Asia Aviation and G J Steel.

The case garnered significant attention from investors because the disclosure was publicly released through the SEC’s reporting system despite questions over whether the filer was legally entitled to report the shareholding.

According to Mr Anek, the SEC and ECD questioned Ms Supaporn on July 10 as part of the investigation. Interview information is being analysed to determine whether securities laws were violated.

“The information gathered will be used to assess what offences, if any, may have been committed,” he said.

Mr Anek acknowledged the investigation found indications that inaccurate information may have been intentionally submitted, raising concerns about the reliability of filings that investors may use to make decisions.

The SEC flagged irregularities in the filing and informed the market on July 3 the information was preliminary and subject to verification. The disclosure was subsequently withdrawn.

The incident prompted calls for tighter controls over the reporting process, particularly because investors may have reacted to the information before it was identified as problematic.

Mr Anek said the SEC is considering additional measures to improve the accuracy and credibility of information released through its disclosure systems.

The regulator has received feedback from investors, market participants, media organisations and other stakeholders on possible improvements.

“We take these concerns seriously and will consider all suggestions,” he said.

“Our goal is to ensure that information disclosed through our systems is accurate and that similar incidents do not occur again.”

Regarding revisions to the Form 246-2 disclosure process, Mr Anek said the regulator must strike a balance between timely disclosure and thorough verification.

Such filings contain material information that can influence investment decisions, making it important for the market to receive them quickly, he said.

Extensive verification requirements could delay the release of information that investors need.

“The challenge is finding the appropriate balance between speed and verification,” Mr Anek said.

The SEC is exploring ways to improve its ability to verify information more quickly and issue alerts to investors when irregularities are detected.

“The focus is on enhancing the efficiency of our verification process and ensuring investors are informed as early as possible when concerns arise,” he said.

“We will review all proposals and determine what additional safeguards may be necessary.”

Mr Anek declined to comment on whether the regulator has determined if Ms Supaporn acted as a nominee shareholder, saying the issue remains under investigation.

The SEC’s findings point to concerns over the submission of inaccurate information to the regulator and the entry of such information into the electronic disclosure system.

“Other potential offences require further in-depth investigation,” he said.

Filings under Form 246-2, which disclose acquisitions or disposals of significant shareholdings, are based on information submitted directly by individuals who are legally required to report such transactions.

“Under the law, the responsibility lies with the person acquiring or disposing of shares to submit the information,” said Mr Anek.

“Once the filing is received, it is disclosed to the public.”

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin on Tuesday vowed to press ahead with reclaiming encroached public beaches in Phuket, enforcing court rulings and removing illegal structures.

He said encroachment cases fall into two categories. The first is under the jurisdiction of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), while the second, involving forest land along beaches, is being handled by the Royal Forest Department (RFD).

The DNP has recently posted demolition notices at two large hotels whose owners had fought legal battles for more than a decade before accepting the court rulings, he said.

The operators have been given one month to remove the structures. If they fail to do so, the DNP will demolish them under its legal authority, he added.

Mr Suchart shrugged off a legal dispute initiated by a group of people who occupied the beach areas for years and made money by charging visitors for access, saying the ministry has sufficient evidence to defend its actions.

He was referring to a petition lodged with the Administrative Court seeking protection.

He said previous court rulings had already revoked the disputed land-use certificates and confirmed the areas were legally classified as forest land.

Asked whether he was confident the remaining cases would be resolved, Mr Suchart said authorities have prepared legal procedures for every scenario and that he has received strong support from the directors-general of both the DNP and the RFD.

The minister said some buyers may have unknowingly purchased illegally occupied land and would need to accept its legal status, while those who knowingly acquired such land would face legal action.

Earlier, Mr Suchart ordered DNP officials, Sirinat National Park and the Phuket Legal Execution Office to enforce court rulings in two cases.

One case involves a 13-rai site in tambon Sakhu where the Supreme Court ordered the revocation of a land-use certificate and the demolition of 39 hotel and villa structures. Another concerns a 12-rai plot in tambon Choeng Thale.

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has stepped up enforcement measures against Chinese cross-border freight trucks found operating outside their authorised routes, warning that any future violations will result in immediate interception, orders to return to approved routes and legal action.

The agency is working with highway police and other authorities to prevent repeated violations and protect the interests of Thai transport operators, DLT director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong said on Wednesday.

The crackdown follows reports that Chinese trucks, which are permitted to operate in Thailand under the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Agreement, had deviated from their approved routes to collect fruit shipments in southern Thailand.

Officials from the Chumphon Provincial Land Transport Office joined police, customs, immigration, provincial commerce officials and local administrative authorities on Monday to inspect vehicles and verify permits for the purchase and transport of goods.

The operation also informed transport operators about regulations governing international freight transport under the GMS agreement, which covers Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Inspections were carried out at the Lertporn and Morakot markets and surrounding areas in Lang Suan district of Chumphon.

Mr Sorapong said the operation was intended as a proactive measure to intercept Chinese trucks attempting to travel beyond their authorised routes into southern Thailand.

Authorities later found five Chinese-registered container trucks parked in a parking area behind the Morakot Market, although no drivers were present.

Checks of the vehicles’ registration records showed that all five were licensed for international transport and had entered Thailand through the Chiang Khong customs checkpoint in Chiang Rai between June 29 and July 1. Their declared destinations were Bangkok and Chanthaburi.

The vehicles have been impounded while authorities investigate the buyers, sellers and other parties involved in arranging freight collection outside the authorised transport routes. Legal proceedings will follow if violations are confirmed.

The department warned that any Chinese truck found travelling outside its approved route will be stopped immediately and its transport documents inspected.

Drivers found violating the conditions of the GMS agreement will face legal penalties and fines, and will be ordered to return to one of the nine authorised transport corridors designated under the agreement. They will not be allowed to continue travelling to destinations outside those approved routes.

A group of senators has accused the opposition People’s Party (PP) of misleading the public with false claims about the 2024 Senate election in an effort to discredit the upper House.

The group also urged the Election Commission (EC) to investigate whether list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu had unlawfully disclosed election-related evidence during a seminar held on Sunday at parliament.

Phisit Apivatanapong, a senator who serves as spokesperson for the Senate whip, said the party had deliberately chosen parliament as the venue for the seminar to lend credibility to its allegations.

He insisted the Senate had fully cooperated with all investigations into the election, adding that senators had carried out their duties in accordance with the law.

He accused Mr Parit and other speakers of presenting ‘clickbait’ content designed to attract public attention rather than provide factual information, alleging the seminar sought to mislead the public and diminish the legitimacy of the Senate.

Organised recruitment

At the event, Mr Parit described the Senate election as a fraud because evidence, some of which his party revealed last month, suggested the organised recruitment of candidates and voters through payments and other inducements.

Mr Phisit also questioned how Mr Parit had obtained documents and video purportedly linked to the EC’s investigation into the election.

If the materials were genuine evidence, they should have been submitted to the EC through the proper legal process rather than being disclosed publicly, he said.

As a legislator, Mr Parit should rely on legal procedures rather than attempting to pressure the EC through public opinion, Mr Phisit said, adding that any authentic evidence could be verified through forensic examination, including fingerprint analysis.

He further criticised comments made by former senators at the seminar alleging that the current Senate had improperly entered office and was using its authority to appoint members of independent state agencies for political gain.

Such accusations were serious and unfairly damaged the reputation of the current Senate, whose members should still be presumed innocent, Mr Phisit said, adding that they had been subjected to ‘trial by public opinion’ despite no legal ruling against them.

He maintained the current Senate was elected entirely in accordance with the 2018 organic law and defended the body’s constitutional authority to endorse office-holders in independent organisations.

Disclosure issues

Mr Phisit called on the EC to determine whether the evidence presented at the seminar formed part of its investigation files and, if so, whether its public disclosure was lawful.

If any laws had been violated, the EC should take appropriate action, he said, arguing the reputational damage to senators had already been done.

The 2024 Senate election gave rise to allegations of systemic fraud and vote-buying by over 120 senators.

The vote produced some highly unusual results, notably a preponderance of winners from provinces where the Bhumjaithai Party, which now leads the government, is strong electorally. Buri Ram, the home base of party patriarch Newin Chidchob, sent 14 senators to the Upper House. Bangkok elected only nine.

The Election Commission since March 2025 has been investigating reports of collusion to rig the vote in 2024. It is expected to decide by September whether to forward cases involving 229 individuals identified by an investigative panel.

The Department of Special Investigation, meanwhile, has interviewed hundreds of people about reports of money-laundering related to the election and is now reviewing the findings.

Mr Parit expressed concern at Sunday’s seminar that both the EC and DSI could halt their investigations before they ever reach the courts.

New revisions in Thailand’s electricity tariff structure will lower power rates for household consumers and remove public street lighting costs from residential electricity bills, expected to take effect as early as the August billing cycle.

The changes were among a number of measures approved on Wednesday by the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Others include expanded access to clean energy, and more opportunities for businesses to make direct power purchases from clean energy providers.

For households, a flat rate of 3 baht per kilowatt/hour (unit) will apply for the first 200 units of electricity used each month. That compares with the current rate of 3.95 baht. A typical medium-sized household with 2-3 air conditioners consumes about 400 units per month.

The street lighting charge, meanwhile, will no longer be included in household electricity bills. Many people were surprised when it was revealed last month that Thai households had been paying for street lighting for 40 years. The current charge adds about 0.10 baht per unit to monthly bills.

Instead, the government will determine alternative funding sources, including revenue generated from electricity tariffs on future data centre investments, said Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwanchwee, who oversees the Provincial and Metropolitan electricity authorities.

The NEPC resolution will now be forwarded to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which will conduct a 15-day public consultation involving the country’s three state electricity utilities before determining the new tariff rates, said Mr Polapee.

Data centre tariffs

Revenue generated from the revised tariff structure for data centres will be used to help cover the cost of public electricity services, estimated at 18 billion baht annually. The proposal will be submitted to the cabinet for final approval, with adoption targeted for the August billing cycle.

Asked whether the government would need to allocate additional funds if the cost of public lighting could not be fully recovered from data centres, Mr Polapee said the funding method was still being finalised.

The MEA and PEA would examine ways to absorb the costs through profits generated from various activities, while the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) would also share responsibility.

‘The exact proportion and allocation model will be discussed further with the Energy Regulatory Commission. The public should not have to bear this burden,’ he said.

The NEPC also discussed whether higher electricity tariffs for data centres could discourage investment.

Mr Polapee said a committee chaired by Energy Minister Akanat Promphan would study the issue, taking into account electricity pricing and investment conditions across Southeast Asia and other competing markets.

While such projects bring substantial capital investment, they generate relatively few jobs and consume significant amounts of electricity and water, Mr Polapee noted.

Greater electricity demand also increases power generation costs by requiring more natural gas, potentially pushing up overall electricity prices.

‘The objective is to ensure that these costs do not become a burden on the public,’ he said.

The ERC is currently reviewing options for electricity tariffs for the final four months of the year. The new rates could range from 3.95 to 4.73 baht per unit, depending largely on how much revenue will be set aside to help Egat pay down its debts from subsidising power rates.

The NEPC on Wednesday also approved a 1,500-megawatt community solar programme, with a ?cap of 30 megawatts per developer. As well, it said, legacy renewable-energy contracts with some smaller producers will be revised to reflect current generation costs.

Dave Kendall, a former Bangkok Post sub-editor and Deeper Dive host, has died at the age of 63. He served on the Post’s editorial staff from 2017 to 2025.

During his years at the Post, he played a key role in the newsroom as a sub-editor, helping shape the newspaper’s editorial standards and mentoring younger journalists.

He later became the host of Deeper Dive, the Post’s podcast interview programme, where his thoughtful and well-prepared conversations with newsmakers, business leaders and public figures earned the respect of colleagues and viewers alike.

Before settling in Thailand, the British-born journalist who contributed to music publications including Melody Maker, built an international broadcasting career.

He was best known for his work at MTV in the United States, where he developed and later hosted 120 Minutes, a programme that introduced audiences to alternative and emerging music at a time when such artists received little exposure on mainstream television.

The programme became widely recognised for helping bring influential bands and independent music to a broader audience. As news of his passing spread, musicians and devoted viewers posted tributes on social media.

Following his time at MTV, he continued working as a television presenter, producer and club DJ, as well as on a number of online ventures in the early days of the internet.

Kendall relocated to Thailand in 2005, where he produced the weekly travel programme Destination Thailand. Upon joining the Post in 2017, he shifted away from entertainment, covering fields that ranged from politics to technology, the environment, climate change and social issues.

He will be remembered for his calm sensibility and passion for journalism.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will pay an official visit to China from July 16-20 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Talks will focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, artificial intelligence, advanced technology and security as the two countries seek to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said the visit marks another milestone as the two countries celebrate the 51st anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The five-day visit will take Mr Anutin to Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing.

In Shanghai, the prime minister is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Chinese President Xi Jinping and to attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026) at the president’s invitation.

In Chengdu, Mr Anutin will preside over the opening of the Thailand-China (Sichuan) Investment and Economic Forum 2026 and inaugurate the investment section of Thailand’s Consulate-General in Chengdu, with the aim of expanding Thailand’s investment promotion network into western China.

He is also expected to meet leading Chinese companies and Thai business executives operating in China to promote trade and investment cooperation.

In Beijing, Mr Anutin will hold full bilateral talks with Premier Li and meet Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress.

The two governments are also expected to witness the signing of a series of bilateral agreements covering trade, investment, agriculture, public health, science, technology, education and media cooperation.

According to the government, the visit aims to strengthen cooperation in emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence, science, innovation and future industries, while expanding collaboration on regional security, transnational cybercrime and online fraud.

Ms Rachada said the trip reflects the close relationship between Thailand and China as comprehensive strategic partners and major trading partners.

It will also help to create new economic opportunities, enhance Thailand’s competitiveness and improve the well-being of both countries’ citizens, the spokesperson added.

Separately, Deputy Government Spokesperson Capt Phattharatsami Thongsaluay said the cabinet has approved five draft cooperation agreements on higher education, science, research and innovation.

Three policemen in Pattaya have been transferred to inactive posts for allegedly collecting off-the-books fines from Kuwaiti motorcyclists who violated traffic rules.

Pol Lt Col Kosala Ngampong, the acting Pattaya police chief, has sidelined a senior sergeant major, a sergeant major and a sergeant pending an investigation by a committee of senior officers at the station, according to local reports.

The moves followed a complaint from a group of Kuwaiti tourists who said they were frequent visitors to the tourist city in Chon Buri.

They told reporters on Tuesday that they often visited Pattaya and rode motorcycles in ways that they acknowledged could breach traffic rules.

When they were caught, the same group of three policemen usually showed up to fine them at high rates of 2,500 to 5,000 baht, the visitors said, adding that there were two to five such arrests each night over the past month.

The Kuwaiti tourists said they had to pay the fines; otherwise, their motorcycles would be confiscated.

However, they said, the policemen usually fined them in deserted areas and had another man receive the money from them. The officers accepted cash only and prohibited them from paying fines at the police station.

Moreover, the Kuwaitis said they were surprised to find out later that the ‘receipts’ they were given were nothing more than the simple cash receipts that old-fashioned grocers use.

Public complaints about Kuwaiti motorcyclists in Pattaya have been a recurring issue, mostly to do with reckless driving, stunts, street racing at all hours and loud modified exhaust systems.

The frequency of violations prompted Pattaya City Police to hold meetings with Kuwaiti Embassy representatives to curb the disturbances and educate visitors about local traffic laws.