FORMER finance minister and leader of the Chart Pattana Kla Party Korn Chatikavanij today (Apr. 23) blasted the government’s move to reduce household electricity bills to 4.70 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit) from the planned hike to 4.77 baht from May to August, a cut of 7 satang, pointing out that comparison should be made with this month’s rate of 4.72 baht which would yield only 2 satang a unit in saving, Naewna newspaper said.
A subcommittee of the Energy Regulatory Commission, in approving the adjustment of the fuel tariff (Ft) rate on Friday with the commission to vote on the recommendation tomorrow (Apr. 24), had in fact done this on the basis of a proposal by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to extend repayment of debt amounting to 130 billion baht.
Korn mentioned that EGAT has offered to extend the five instalments at 27 billion baht every four months over a 20-month period to six instalments, or over 24 months, thus reducing the payment to 22 billion baht an instalment and this led to the Ft rate dropping by 7 satang from 4.77 baht a unit to 4.70 baht during the second repayment period (May-August).
However Korn mentioned that this reduction is so small it looks dismal.
“I would not like to use the term 7 satang reduction as mentioned in the news. This is because if you paid 4.72 baht this month and will be paying 4.70 baht next month, count anyway it’s 2 satang. Don’t use next month’s unreasonable hike to 4.77 baht to deceive the people,” he said.
Korn added that his proposal is to cancel the Ft rate during the hottest three months by 93 satang a unit. The example he gave is if one uses 485 units the monthly power bill will be 2,564.05 baht. However if the Ft rate is not added it would go down to 2,111.05 baht, a reduction of 453 baht (485 units x 0.93 satang).
However a 2 satang a unit reduction leads to saving on 485 units as multiplied by this amount of only 9.72 baht, not even ten baht.
CAPTION:
Chart Pattana Kla Party leader Korn Chatikavanij. Top photo: Matichon, Front Page photo: Thai Rath
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