What can I do about my high electricity bill in Thailand?

Everywhere I have stayed there is a meter on the property, I take a photo of it every month on the day the electric is due, show it to the landlord and pay what is due, I wouldn't just accept some random electric bill.

Or talk to attorney

Turn off ac fridge than ask her to explain the charges

If your landlord rents out 5 or more dwellings, they are now required to charge you only the government rate without any markup.

You could ask your landlord what they plan to do about the new law as a polite way of starting the conversation. Of course they will want to make a new lease that matches the new law, right? ...

I find it maybe bit high but not out of the ordinary

1500 - 1600 in a condo with AC or ventilator on half the day and several laptops and TV always on. 2000 seems exaggerated.

My electricity bill hit baht before. 2000 baht is a bargain

Electricity is more expensive on islands.

Its $300 usd in Arizona lol

Might be slightly overpriced but not too much. I always used the air conditioner on 26 degrees just a few hours at night, only, and still pay around 1,000 or slightly more per month. And I'm just talking about 5-6 hours a day. Electricity isn't cheap.

Contact an electrician to check the meter set-up. Look online for a reliable service guy to come out. Do it without your landlady knowing. Remember, Thai Rak Thai... 🙄😜. You pay an excessive amount based on your usage. Look past the noise on here..

If the whole deal suits you why bother

My rate is the same 7bht pr unit but it is set by the condo development not my landlord.

I have a 1bed condo and have similiar usage to you i.e. aircon some days but mainly at night, tv, laptop phone chargeing etc. My monthly total is usually around 1.6k bht

People calling the electric expensive in Thailand 🤣🤣, when was the last time you paid a bill in Europe, esp. UK. Consider your ac as you would a heater in Europe, most 3 bed households in UK are paying 9000bt per month all year round for heating and electricity. You get a bill for 2000bt for electricity and COOLING, and say its expensive 🤦.

...and if you're sitting at home sweating like a catholic priest on a rape charge, instead of switching on the AC, you may want to reconsider your living arrangements.

Another tip, set your AC to 28c and leave it there and leave it on the entire time you are home, it switches itself on and off (its clever like that), while it's off the fan continues to blow the remaining cold air over you with its built in 60-100w fan, yes just like that stupid thing in the corner you leave on all night 🤦. 28c is a perfect temperature for making easy to leave the home, if you set it at 21 then walk out into 34c, the heat will hit you, whereas 28 to 34 is far less of a shock to your system

Did ypuAsk you landlord ?

In kata we use AC half the day and all night. Our electric bill is between 500 and $700 a month.

I live in a working laundry and the monthly bill is 4500 baht. We have 3 air con units.

The proper units is 3 but if you rent they normally charge you 8 units on electricity

On a island ? 2000 baht keep the peace or move

Change to a fan.. Ac expensive

Are you living in the island?

I always have an AC on. In the living room during the day when I work, and in the bedroom at night. I cook with gas, use the washer once or twice a week, the fridge, TV and Computer, plus water pump and I am between 4500 - 5000 thb per month

Always confuses me to see people so excited about $60

GET an electrician to check the meter you could very well be paying somebody elses bill it happens regularly in pattaya

If you know where the meter is take a reading and see what it should be for the month. Then you can talk to your landlord.

I own a unit and we all get a meter break down for each unit. Ask for a reading each month

2000 in a house? I had a pool villa and the electric for the filter was about 8000. I spend more in my condo.

Where else would you get a months electric for £50??

2000 is reasonable at 7baht with maybe old appliances… i have a very new aircon, 8 baht per unit. and pay 2000 with usage allmost all day.

In some places I look for unauthorized neighbors running a tap from my meter. Some rental advertising states government rate, or more.

Our electric bill, 2BR 66sqm condo, never went over 1,600 THB a month, 2 aircons. True, some days we were travelling and not using electricity. I think, full time there, 2 aircons, I think 2,000THB is not over the roof.

There is one thing: the first condo 2002-2006 (a studio 44 sqm, aircon) was categorized as a "mansion" where the landlord (a 100 condos building, a company) were doing their markup, the elec was double the government rate.

My pet sitters pay around the same amount but my house is individually owned, single family home.

Commercial properties like apartments building is in a different category with different rates.

Hell, I wish my electric bill in a hot Midwest summer with upper80s-mid90s, or like now in Thailand was only 70 or 80 $usd

Fridges do use a lot of electricity if not working correctly, ie motor is running all the time,air con also depends if working correctly and is serviced directly. .

Mine is 1500 for all day aircon fridge and lights when I’m awake and I’m always home.

The last bldg it was 5400 the bldg had an electrical leak from the power source they refused to fix.

THB2000 per month doesn't sound to bad in my view.

Not cheap I have ac and use all the time and mine is a 1000 where do you live

Simple way is buy a cheap clamp test meter.

Check out the amperage draw.

Turn off things and turn on.

Put the clamp on the meter cable and see what amps are being used.

My ac had a dodgy compressor.

Was chewing 2200 a month.

Owner replaced it.

Bill is less than 1000 now.

And super cool..

If it reads current draw with everything off then someone else is tickling the supply.

488 down to 270 with a new air conditioner.

Yes ask to see her bill

Bet she won't

Try and cut down on the ac

Wear no clothes

At 7baht your using 285 units a month the govt rate is 4.75 so you should be paying 1400 not worth worrying about 600 baht

Install your own meter in between - costs less than 500B

My electric is 1300b a month average for 2. I think you are being ripped.

We spend around 7,000b/mo on utilities. 3 out of 5 AC's run , and the other two get used when it's extra warm.

$24 .00 aud per week what are complaing about, if you don't like it just

Move 🥴😱😄

2000 is nothing. I have pains as much as 13,000

It seems like youre paying a lot. My normal monthly bill is between 2 to 4k and there is 5 people in the property, 3 of which are kids using tvs and ac all the time. The issue you will have is if your rental agreement states you are paying 7 baht per unit, unfortunately, you're stuck paying it.

Good post, good to get some idea of utility bills for when I finally move 🙏🏼 I was wondering how much do people generally pay for water/gas/electricity/ internet? I am from the UK, is there a payment like council tax to pay? Thankyou you lovely people 🙏🏼♥️ oh also just had another thought, do you have to buy a tv licence?

How big is your air con, what temp you run it on ? How old is your fridge, what temp it set to ? All the above will affect electricity consumption.

Take a picture of the Electric meter same day every month ,I think the government rate 4.7bht/ unit plus a small standing charge .

I usually say 5 bht/ unit will cover the bill

I wish I had your bill mine is 4,500 baht plus

We have 2 aircons and cooking TV we about 3000 a month.

Sure your waters not on there aswell

Ask how many baht per unit Ur paying ,should be around 4 bht

Have your aircon unit serviced if it has not been done in the previous 6 months. That helps. Also, older aircons use alot more power than the new more efficient models. A unit more than 5 years old might use 30% more for same cooling amount.

Switch electric companies and leave the last one dangling

I pay about 2,700 or 2,800 for water and power power being the most expensive. It's hot they know they can stick you with the high power bill I used to only run my AC at night and even sometimes if you don't bring your receipt please keep up with your receipts and ask them to print you a receipt otherwise they'll just claim you didn't pay last month's power and argue with you until you show them a paper despite them knowing very well that you paid last month. Thailand is becoming a less and less friendly place to visit and they allow tourists to rent out Condominiums despite the fact that they won't be able to stay in them long enough to live out an entirely so they allow rampant scams. Don't trust anyone if you're here alone in Thailand. The best thing about Thailand though is it doesn't make any promises unlike the Philippines.

I would ask to see the bill , in my house I get the bill in my mailbox at gate of my house, if not a mailbox bill is normally next to meter when the guy from power company make the monthly bill. If I remember right a thai friend of mine that have a resort told me he calculates 100-150 bath a day when customers use aircon in rooms/bungalows and they are not isolated

When we ask about visa related, the post declined.

Don't use air-con problem solved....

My bill less than 1700 baht for 12 months..

I use fan, fridge...all you need... same for past 30+ years...

Why sign a contract agreeing to pay 7baht a unit then complain about it after didn’t it account to you to look at it and negotiate a reduction before signing 🤷🏼‍♂️

In Thailand, electricity is expensive. I only turn on ac average few hours at night to cool down then off it. It cost 1500 baht monthly

Cheap

You’re guessing absolutely correct!

If someone is pirating your electric hire an electrician to set up a separate line and meter. Then create a separate account with the electric company. This was a popular scam a couple years ago and the thai government did put some laws into effect. I have no idea if they are enforced.

If your lease is a flat rate 2000 per month fire up the AC. I have 200 sq meters 4 bedroom and run lights AC, etc continuously. My bill has never exceeded 2000

You probably are paying for the other houses.

@Jasmine *********

you can count the units every month, 7 * units,

Lower the temperature of the refrigerator to 2 and the The air conditioner to 25

Your on an island you say so power generation might cost more, then you might find its a bill for the complex divided by how many, but 2000 a month depending on your exchange rate is not a big amount, but .....

Thats not alot i paid 1600 for a 1 bedroom condo so dont sweat it

So let me get this right - your bill is 2k and you think that's a lot when you're running AC 8-10 hrs a day? With that amount of usage, you're lucky it's not a lot more. And if you can't afford it, stop using the AC so much.

Electricity is really expensive in Thailand. I pay way more than I did in Australia. 2000 is really not much for here.

I've been paying 5000 on a bedsit it only has 1 room. I've been here 1 Yr and learnt Thai people are very greedy it hard to find a good landlord. I am leaving this month

Jasmine McClellan. You are being done by this little muslim lady. In my opinion you should be paying between thb tops. I have stayed in hotels for a month, where i had to pay for my water, and electric. That was around 400 thb. Good luck, and enjoy your life in the land of smiles. 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

U r scammed.

Take a reading yourself from the meter and work out what your using yourself very easy to do. Owners of properties can charge what they like it's upto you to agree with these rates

I pay 4-5k

$2k baht that's cheap betcha your running aircon

Do you have a separate electric meter for your use? If not, then you are sharing with other. If yes, for pre-paid metre you can personally recharge and check whether there are other connection with it.

Sounds about right for an older ac cooling a floor of a house.

As many here mention you need to see in your contract if you pay the local govt rate about 4 thb per kw or if you are contracted to pay what is stated in your lease agreement which its not unheard of to be double the PEA rate and based on your usage I’d just guess that will be the case as you mentioned your landlady gives you the bill every month it’s unlikely that your are indirectly paying next doors electric unless its actually the Landlady living there. Bottom line is if you’re happy there just suck it up until the lease comes up next.

2000 is cheap

My condo has 2x government rate and pay between 1500-2000 versus normal rate but it's like administration cost included in it I guess and it's clearly stated in the agreement.

I must say though building is always neat and floor on the corridors is cleaner than in my condo, haha. So they really take good care of it.

If you have signed the lease there isn’t a need to bitch about it on social media. You agreed to the terms and conditions. You can always leave.

I just stayed at a hotel and had to pay for electricity and they charged me 1600 b for 5 weeks.

Yea muslim said it all

depends on the area and electrical appliances, my colleagues live around Talat Plu, Pho Nimit, they use AC 1.5HP all night and cook a lot but only cost 500 - 800 baht. But mine is in Thonglor, 2 AC 3HP and 1.5HP usually cost me at least 1000 baht. You should keep an eye on your electricity meter to see which one costs the most

I have a 3 bedroom house family of 5 two rooms with air in all night avg 10 hours per day two freezers, fan on all day when ac is not on and I run at between 3000 and 4000 THB depends on various factors, children home all day etc

Suck it in Sonny, it is how it is here, you sign the contract, you pay the fees

I no 2000 bht sounds alot, but when I'm over staying with my wife the electric bill does shoot up as I use the AC alot. But like the other guy says, switch everything off and check the meter. But 2000 bht is not to bad for AC. AC always shoots the bill up.

I'm in a restaurant, aircon , two refrigerators and one freezer, many lights electric hot water system . I just paid my bill yesterday 1884.00 baht. You need look at the price you are being charged per unit the government rate is just over 4 baht and I have seen landlords double the price and more. This needs to be looked at before you sign your lease agreement.

What does her being Muslim have to do with the story

2.9k to us with an infant

3 AC

1 TV (Ms. Rachel the wholeday)

1 Fridge

1 Electric Cooker

1 Microwave

yours is expensive 🥹🙈

Next time ensure you pay govt rate when signing a contract

Your bill would be around 1100 baht if you paid government rate around net 4.5 a unit, that's pretty cheap in a house

I have a 2 bedroom, two story townhouse. I run air in the bedrooms at night, air in the living area in the day, air in the kitchen in the evening, 2 shower water heaters, water pump, washer, computer, TV, water kettle, rice cooker, microwave, toaster, and a porch light on at night. I pay direct to the municipality. My bill runs between 4,000 and 5,000 baht a month. Before I insulated the upstairs area, my bill was 6,000 to 7,000. I paid 10,000 baht for the 6" foil wrapped insulation, 50 sq meters at Thai Watsadu. My expense return was less than a year.

I have a 300 sq meter open concept cabin i rent at the beach. I spend less than 10 days a month there. Air and water heater, plus lights run 2,000 baht a month. I get a copy of pictures of my meter from my Thai landlady and get the local rate of around 4 baht per kilowatt. I'm considering insulation. But it has a metal roof, it is on stilts and the 2"X6" floor boards have hairline cracks between them, and no wall insulation.

I'd probably come out ahead by buying a lot and building a properly insulated house, 555.

Take photo of electric meter at the beginning of each month

Sounds reasonable. I’m sure they’d show you the meter so you can track?

Get a fan.

I pay 7 a unit and about 1800 a month but rarely use AC at night. My neighbour keeps it all all the time 5000. 🤯

How many metres are there 🤔

I will move.

How old is the fridge ?

During covid we stayed at our house full time and were still getting high electric bills only thing on was the fridge. Changed it was all good

If its same every month sounds like it was written into your lease terms

I use a fan in the day and AC at night to sleep. Just about what you described and my bill is about 700 per month

Well, who signed the lease and what does it say?

Look at the meter and monitor the numbers, is what I would do.

I think your paying her bill also

It's not a scam, it's how landlords make money. It's part of the negotiation when you sign up. Options are 1) check no one else is using your electricity, by turning off all fuses in fuse box and check that meter not showing use 2) try to negotiate the rate down a bit with landlord.

What has the landlady’s religion got to do with anything?

Turn off all appliances and go out to check if your counter still running. Do it in different hours and days. Is the easier way you can check if some neighbour is conected to your house.

It seems to be unrealistic bill. You have nothing to do since the landlord provided you the bill. Better you change your house. Best wishes.

You are most likely being "scammed". By Thai law only the bill cost of the meter can be charged. Same for water & Wifi 🙏

My electric is that in the cool season no fans or Aircon government bill in the the hot season it's baht 2000 baht seems fair to me

There are too many variables. 2k doesn’t sound horrible.

The government rate is 4.15 Baht / Unit since .

2000 is a lot

My bill is 9000 with the pool

Landlord charges 8bht a unit

If my bill was 2000k I would be happy what a deal

Check ur meter yourself and multiply by 8 for a month usage!!

Seems fair enough, she probably making couple hundred bhat off you but not enough to worry about. If starts to increase, may want to say something

When you spend money on heating or AC, it's not a big bill

Just ask to see the bill

Quite common for them to charge over government rate, you should ask before moving in

depends on size of your AC unit also 2000 is about right id say

If she lowers your electric bill she will probably just put your rent up, is it really worth the hassle. 2k a month whilst using aircon every night isn’t unrealistic

That’s very cheap

Sounds about right if you use ac everyday. Wonder what the lady being Muslim has anything to do with your electric bill !!!

Have to let her see the bill, if not shows it for sure is getting profit. Only night has to be half of what you are paying

I run 2 air conditioners and pay around 2500-3000 baht per month.

If you have aircon on every night that is why it is 2000 baht. And the colder you have it the more expensive it is to run

It could be part of the deal in your rental hence accept it if is not specific clearly in your lease agreement. Having say that, pay direct to the utilities company you will likely has a reliable charge.

Seems normal

I think 2000baht per month is quite a lot.

What rate does your lease say you pay?

It seems a little high. Check to see if there are two meters going into the house. If its feasible.

Check your electricity usage. For 1 not brand new aircon running for 8 hrs a day we are in the range of around 1200-1500 THB a month for each room (exact cost will be depending on heat and insulation and size of the room) this is based on standard government prices and meter readings. Add a fridge, maybe you have a laptop, a water heater, a water pump.. 2000 sounds right.

baht use about the same electric

2000 baht is not alot for electric lol

What does your lease say? Generally you either get the bill directly from the electric company and pay the government rate, or you pay a rate that's 2-6x the government rate as a way for the owner to make extra money off of you. Either way it should be in the lease.