Utility Bills?

[PeteC]

Our water bill arrived today here in Rayong, 464 baht reduced to ZERO because of the government incentives over the next 6 months. I've yet to see our electric bill so don't know what the limits are on either electric or water? Does anyone know the usage ceiling before you do have to pay?

Interesting that they don't seem to be making a distinction between farang or Thai owned/rented households.

Thank you Mr. PM....LOL. I will spend the extra money to help your economy! Pete

[STEVE G]

Pete, they did publish the amounts in the Bangkok Post a couple of weeks ago, but I dont remember exactly how much you got for free; I will ask my partner tomorrow as they would know that sort of thing in the village.

[Vital Spark]

I think we must be living in come kind of time warp.

Water bill a week or so ago, the largest we've ever had - around 150 baht (normally 70 baht). Electricity bill 1,570 baht - it's creeping higher and higher.

The only time we had 'free' water bills here was when the supply was off for three months. Luckily it was the rainy season.

I'd love to know whether these government incentives apply nationally, or whether it's just a localised thing.

VS

[Guess]

................Water bill a week or so ago, the largest we've ever had - around 150 baht (normally 70 baht)....


.....Electricity bill 1,570 baht - it's creeping higher and higher.

Government incentives aside, check you metre readings yourself. The water authority will go on for years and charge you for estimates rather than clean the glass on the metre.

I had bills between 50 and 70 Baht for two years. When the metre became readable I got a one off bill for 500 Baht followed by 90 Baht bills every month.

As for the electricity, you must check your metre in Hua Hin. They have some way of misappropriating payments. According to Thai local newspapers, people have been fired from the Hua Hin office already.

I personally lost 3,500 Baht in an Electricity Co theft.

Why did you cut me off.
You not pay bill.
I paid it two weeks ago.
We not get it. Who you pay.
I paid one of your colleagues at this office on Aug??? (whatever date it was.
After about 30 minutes scanning hand written ledgers:
You not pay.
I di f***ing pay and I have witness who was with me and paying his own bill at the time.
What him name.
(Name supplied)
He pay but you not pay.
(Stand back breathe deeply and count to ten).
Look, I paid, I know I paid, you know I paid. If it is not on your archaic records it means that one of your staff has stolen my money.
People who work Electric not steal.
Ok I will pay again. How much this time.

And now the classic.

The same you pay before plus reconnection charge.

Apart form that one off incident I now have fairly strong evidence that in at least two different properties that my bill was being hiked up. I advise everybody to read their own metre but never do it myself.

Another test I have done is to find someone who has a similar demand to yourself and see what their bill comes to. If it is more than 50% out you have problem. Also be aware of what appliances and fittings use in terms of wattage.

Kettles, rice cookers, and other water heaters use a lot but are not on very much of the day. Air con can be very hungry if used for prolonged periods. Fridges are also greedy and you have very little control over them. Fluorescent lights use almost nothing as do the more expensive long life bulbs.

A friend of mine who was an electrician told me that the appliance that was by far the largest consumer and waster of electricity in his house was his wife.

[miked]

Guess wrote

I personally lost 3,500 Baht in an Electricity Co theft.

no wonder the thai's try and rip us off. it's like taking candy from a baby.
keep your receipt.
miked

[buksida]

Back to the govt incentives, in Bangsaphan we found out our electric and water bills are free if they're below 100 baht per month.

[Guess]

Guess wrote

keep your receipt.
miked

Of course you are right and the victim (baby) was in possession of a piece of paper written in Thai which was not understandable.

For you the majority of people like yourself it would never happen because you obviously have a proficient command of Thai and the Thai script. I guess you would immediately spot if there were any errors on the receipt and in fact if it was indeed a receipt at all.

I could be palmed off with an invite for grab a granny night at the Hilton and told it was the tabien baan for a 20 million Baht luxury bungalow and I would believe it.

I have one question. I agree that you should keep receipts. I still have every receipt I have ever got in Thailand that has been of any business or personal significance.

When you are asked to produce the receipt and hand it to someone, should you refuse? If you allow them to take it then how are you sure that what is given back is what you handed them.

PS I have been learning to read and write in Thai for ten years now and can already read Hua HIn on a train timetable and Kai (egg) on a Thai menu. It is only a matter of time before I can master an electricity company receipt. To be honest I struggle with them if they are written in English.

[PeteC]

Back to the govt incentives, in Bangsaphan we found out our electric and water bills are free if they're below 100 baht per month.

Something seems fishy. Why was our's reduced from 464 to 0? Hmmm. This isn't a regional thing but the entire country per my understanding. Pete

[Guess]

According to Lady Guess, the benefits are being given out piecemeal over a six month period which would mean that each amphoe can regulate its cash flow as required.

I would not take that as gospel though.

[miked]

Guess,
sorry, didn't realise that you had a receipt. i thought you just handed them the cash.
miked

[miked]

Guess,
just had a look at some old electric bills and receipts and the numbers are in English. i check the meter against the bill every month. the amount of units used, normally about 250, i multiply by 3 baht = 750baht. this seems to work out o.k. and the total covers the vat as well.
for certain you could follow my bill and the receipt for it when paid. also when they read my meter the man takes a photo of the readings with a digital camera ?? don't understand why they do that.
do you get your supply direct from the electric company or through a third party.??
miked