A proposed bill intended to promote the adoption of solar energy in Thailand has prompted divided opinions from industry stakeholders, with some raising concerns about potential loopholes and centralized regulatory authority. The Thai Photovoltaic Industries Association has responded with cautious support, even as others question whether the draft legislation may inadvertently hinder the solar sector.
The bill, which aims to streamline the installation of solar panels and support electricity trading, drew scrutiny following comments by Treerat Sirichantaropas, a former politician and now chief executive of New Energy Plus Solutions, a solar panel distributor. Posting on the X platform, Treerat warned that the draft law could concentrate excessive regulatory power in the hands of the energy minister. According to him, allowing a single official to set rules on matters from installation standards to power trade could result in regulatory overreach or conflicts of interest.
Such a provision, he argued, might ultimately deter adoption of solar technologies rather than encourage it, contradicting the bill’s intended purpose. His firm distributes panels made by Shanghai-based Jinko Solar Holding.
In contrast, Professor Dusit Kraungam, chairman of the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Association, said the bill leaves room for interpretation and does not explicitly require permits to be issued solely through the Energy Ministry. He suggested the draft law may still allow for a more decentralized implementation framework, though questions remain about how oversight would be shared among agencies.
The debate reflects broader concerns within Thailand’s energy sector over the balance between encouraging investment and ensuring fair regulation. The issue has drawn attention from both industry leaders and former political figures, with officials such as Treerat and Prof Dusit weighing in on the future of solar policy in the country.
