Laundry Shops and Cafes in Buriram Scramble to Survive New Tiered Electricity Rates, Say Profits Insufficient to Cover Rising Bills
Small business owners in Buriram's laundry and cafe sector fear the government's new tiered electricity rates will force them to close, as their high energy consumption already costs thousands monthly with insufficient profits to absorb fur
Small business owners operating laundry services and cafes in Chalermphra Kiart District, Buriram Province are scrambling to find ways to survive the government's new tiered electricity rate system, which charges progressively higher rates for increased consumption. With monthly usage exceeding 500 kilowatt-hours—the threshold established by the Energy Ministry—these businesses worry they won't be able to continue operating once the policy takes effect.
Siripon, 39, owner of a laundry pressing shop, explains that she operates five washing machines and six dryers, paying approximately 3,000-4,000 baht monthly in electricity costs—already well above the 500-unit threshold. She fears her bills will rise substantially under the new system. Installing solar panels, she notes, would cost over 150,000 baht, an expense far too high for her limited-profit business. She appeals to the government to consider small operators like herself who necessarily consume high amounts of electricity.
Similarly, Jirawat, 32, who owns a cafe, says the energy ministry's policy initially seemed promising but his business doesn't generate enough profit to absorb higher electricity bills. Despite already removing all non-essential electrical appliances, his monthly bill still exceeds 10,000 baht. He urges the government to recognize the struggles of small business operators in this situation.
