Man Battles 50,000-Baht Power Bill for Abandoned Home
A man from Nakhon Ratchasima is disputing a 49,681-baht power bill for his abandoned Udon Thani home after electricity charges mysteriously skyrocketed over six years. Thailand's deputy permanent secretary has ordered an investigation and s
A 57-year-old man named Sitthipol filed a complaint with Mueang Udon Thani police on September 23 after his abandoned home's electricity bill skyrocketed from under 100 baht per month to a total of 49,681.90 baht over six years. The Udon Thani Provincial Electrical Authority initially agreed to inspect the property to identify a suspected electrical leak and find a solution. However, when Sitthipol traveled from Nakhon Ratchasima to Udon Thani to await the inspection, staff refused to examine the house. Instead, over 20 officials met with him at the electricity office, insisting that according to regulations, users must pay all charges because the leak occurred after the meter. Sitthipol was left speechless. Deputy Permanent Secretary Palpeer Suvanachavee, who oversees the Provincial Electrical Authority, learned of the case and ordered senior electrical authority officials to urgently investigate the matter. He also informed the customer that he need not pay the nearly 50,000-baht bill until the cause of the electrical leak is clearly identified.
