Solar energy is increasingly becoming a vital option for the modern world, with many countries accelerating support for residential solar panel installations to increase clean energy, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and enable people to generate their own electricity. However, behind rooftop electricity generation lies a critical issue regarding the "electricity billing system" that directly affects fairness for all electricity users nationwide—specifically the choice between "Net Metering" and "Net Billing" systems, which despite similar goals produce distinctly different impacts on the energy system and citizens.

Similarities and Differences Between Net Metering and Net Billing

Net Metering and Net Billing are electricity billing systems for homes with solar panel installations. Both share the common goal of encouraging people to produce their own electricity from solar energy and send excess power back to the electrical grid to reduce energy costs and increase household clean energy use. However, the key difference lies in "how the value of returned electricity is calculated."

Net Metering is a "kilowatt-hour offset" system where electricity produced by solar panels is deducted against electricity consumed from the grid on a one-to-one basis. This means excess solar production has a value equivalent to the retail electricity rate that consumers purchase from the utility—similar to depositing electricity in the system and withdrawing it later at the same value.

The advantage is that it provides relatively high returns to solar installers and incentivizes faster public adoption of solar panels. In some cases, it can use existing dual-directional spinning meters without equipment replacement. However, this system has a significant limitation: the buyback price does not reflect true electricity system costs, since what consumers pay includes not just generation costs but also power plant construction, transmission lines, distribution infrastructure, and entire network management expenses.

Net Billing, by contrast, is a "monetary offset" billing system that clearly separates the cost of electricity purchased from the grid and electricity sold back to the system. Excess solar power receives credits at a government-determined rate, which is typically lower than the retail electricity price because it accounts for comprehensive electricity system costs, including network maintenance and energy management. This system requires replacing existing meters with smart digital meters that can measure both purchased electricity and grid-injected electricity at each time interval to calculate net electricity costs.

The advantage is that it allows pricing flexibility to match energy costs during different periods, properly managing electricity system expenses without shifting costs to overall consumers. However, while both systems promote clean energy, Net Metering benefits solar installers more, while Net Billing is viewed as a more "balanced" approach that better protects fairness for all electricity users by reducing costs that might otherwise burden non-solar households and allowing the government greater flexibility to adjust solar buyback rates according to future energy circumstances.

Why Net Metering May Burden Non-Solar Users

Although Net Metering appears beneficial to solar panel installers, it actually creates burdens on others.

The Old Home Cafe, a trending Nonthaburi coffee shop, stands out as a cozy wooden house cafe on Nakorn In Road that captures the warmth of traditional upcountry homes. Owner Jib (Phatchranon Pilavong) previously worked in garment manufacturing for 13 years, producing OEM products for major brands, but when COVID-19 shuttered the clothing industry, she pivoted to baking and eventually opened this cafe with her sister.

Jib intentionally designed the cafe in a traditional wooden house style to evoke nostalgia for provincial homes, featuring old wooden doors, weathered windows, and rustic materials. "We're from the provinces but live in Bangkok and rarely get home," she explains. "We wanted to create a healing space for people far from home—The Old Home Cafe."

The menu offers affordable, delicious options reflecting Jib's philosophy of accessibility during difficult economic times. Signature items include the Old Coffee (a pulled americano with her grandmother's condensed milk recipe and Chinese pandan for sweetness), Thai tea made with four tea bases, and notably, khao soi sourced from a respected Phayao recipe. The carrot cake uses premium cream cheese, and the cafe also serves pad krapow, spaghetti, and northern Thai curries prepared as authentically as home cooking.

On May 25, 2569, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast predicting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in some areas of southern Thailand due to moderate southwest monsoon winds covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Residents are urged to be cautious of heavy rain and water accumulation. Waves in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand will be moderate, with the upper Andaman Sea experiencing waves around 2 meters high, while the lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf will see 1-2 meter waves. Areas with thunderstorms may experience waves exceeding 2 meters, and fishermen are advised to navigate carefully and avoid stormy areas. Between May 28-29, rainfall in the southern region will increase with heavy to very heavy precipitation expected, particularly on the western coast, as the southwest monsoon strengthens. Waves in the Andaman Sea will intensify, with the upper region seeing 2-3 meter waves and thunderstorm areas experiencing waves over 3 meters.

Regional forecasts from 18:00 today to 18:00 tomorrow:

Northern Region: 40% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. Low 24-27°C, high 35-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: 20% chance of thunderstorms, primarily in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Chaiyaphum, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Low 25-28°C, high 36-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central Region: 30% chance of thunderstorms, mostly affecting Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Songkhram. Low 25-27°C, high 37-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Eastern Region: 30% chance of thunderstorms in Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 24-27°C, high 34-38°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Sea waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): 40% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, mainly in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Low 23-27°C, high 35-37°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Sea waves approximately 1 meter nearshore, 1-2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in stormy areas.

Southern Region (West Coast): 60% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas in Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket. Low 23-26°C, high 32-35°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 20-35 km/h, waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h, waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in stormy areas.

Bangkok and Vicinity: 40% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon to evening hours.

Many households have experienced the problem of buying cabbage only to have it wilt, bruise, or rot quickly when stored improperly. Recently, a Japanese vegetable shop expert unveiled a "10-second freshness preservation technique" that effectively extends cabbage storage life by focusing on the cabbage core.

Aoba Tetsu, a Japanese vegetable and fruit expert with over 15 years of experience working in produce shops, revealed through a Yahoo Japan column that the simplest method uses a fork to maintain vegetable freshness, available at shops for 100 yen. Simply insert the fork directly into the cabbage core before refrigerating—taking less than 10 seconds—which noticeably extends the cabbage's freshness. If you don't have a fork, you can substitute 2-3 toothpicks.

She also recommends not placing cabbage directly in the refrigerator, as cold air will dry out the outer leaves. However, wrapping it too tightly in plastic creates moisture accumulation that causes rapid spoilage.

The proper method is: after inserting the fork into the cabbage core, wrap the head with newspaper or paper towels, place it loosely in a plastic bag without sealing it tightly, then refrigerate.

For longer storage spanning weeks, the expert reveals that Japanese farmers prefer removing the cabbage core and replacing it with paper towels dampened with water, then wrapping with newspaper and a plastic bag while changing the towels every 2-3 days. While this method requires more effort, it's ideal for those wanting extended cabbage storage while maintaining freshness.

Source: ettoday Compiled by Sanook Online News Team

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), led by Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan, reported in its Q1 2025 Thai social conditions report that the unemployment rate has reached 0.94%, affecting approximately 390,000 people—up from 280,000 people (0.70%) in Q4 2024, marking a 9.9% increase in joblessness. Long-term unemployment rose sharply by 87,000 people, representing a 27% increase year-on-year. Under the social security system, unemployment claims increased from 1.78% to 2.00%, with 242,000 people claiming unemployment benefits, while the number of underemployed workers grew by 4.4 million, up 3% from the same period last year.

The NESDC identified three key concerns to monitor:

1. Middle East tensions could impact workers in transportation, construction, manufacturing, and tourism sectors, potentially reducing working hours and inadequate income.

2. Rising underemployment in 2023-2024, with hidden unemployment increasing by 220,000 people (17.8% year-on-year). Over 65% of these workers have primary education or below, primarily employed in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. Their average income of 6,700 baht monthly significantly lags the overall average wage of 16,000 baht, necessitating additional income sources, particularly for agricultural workers.

3. Employment risks in the electric vehicle (EV) industry transition, as the EV sector expands while the internal combustion engine vehicle industry declines. This impact extends beyond factory workers to include the entire supply chain, requiring workers to transition or relocate to emerging industries in coming months.

Thai police announced the dismantling of a Northeast drug trafficking network on May 25, 2025, with Deputy National Police Commissioner General Samran Nualmua and Narcotics Control Board chief Acheyon Kraitong presenting the results. The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects, seizure of over 20 million methamphetamine pills, and confiscation of six vehicles used in the crimes.

Police, working with the Special Operations Command and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, acted on intelligence regarding a sophisticated teen-based drug courier network operating across regions. The organization sourced drugs from the Northeast border in Loei Province, stored them in rental warehouses, and employed rotating courier teams to transport them to Bangkok. The network continuously changed routes, vehicles, and transportation methods to avoid arrest.

Investigators identified Narasak, 28, as a command-level member responsible for recruiting and hiring teenager couriers to transport drugs from the Northeast border to Bangkok. He was issued a warrant on charges of conspiracy and drug distribution. When arrested, officers found a semi-automatic Glock handgun with ammunition, as well as assets worth approximately 5.5 million baht.

The broader operation resulted in arrests in 11 related cases involving 33 suspects, with 12 additional arrest warrants issued. Police seized over 15.5 million methamphetamine pills, approximately 4,800 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, over 500 kilograms of ketamine, and various other assets.