The Cabinet of Ministers of Thailand, without fail, applied to the country's election commission with a request for permission to allocate subsidies for May electricity bills. This is due to the fact that, according to the election law, the interim cabinet is required to obtain the consent of the electoral oversight to implement projects that require funding. Otherwise, it could be seen as an attempt by the outgoing government to win voter support through subsidies.
Many Thai citizens have taken to social media to complain about skyrocketing electricity bills in March and April due to prolonged heatwaves. In response, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to extend electricity subsidies for vulnerable groups for four months and reduce the cost of electricity to the public for the May period.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha told reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting that electricity subsidy measures must be given the green light by the electoral commission before they can be implemented. Under these measures, those who use between 1 and 150 units of electricity will receive a reduction of 92.04 satang per unit. Those using between 151 and 300 units will receive a reduction of 67.04 satang per unit. In addition, the Cabinet decided to subsidize public electricity bills by 150 baht for the May period.
