Graft claims cast doubt on solar scheme

The People's Party has called for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the government's 50-billion-baht household solar scheme, including suspected collusion among contractors and alleged kickbacks of 30,000 baht per installation.

PP list-MP Supachot Chaiyasat said on Monday the programme, which offers households 50,000 baht towards solar panel installations, risked benefiting a limited network of companies rather than the public.

Speaking after a shadow cabinet meeting, he said about 600 companies initially expressed interest in the programme, but requirements for financial guarantees exceeding 60,000 baht per household had forced 60–70% of installers to withdraw.

He said more than 60 participating companies shared the same address, while over 120 had overlapping directors, shareholders or cross-shareholding links, raising concerns about whether competition was genuine.

Mr Supachot also questioned the scheme's pricing, saying contractors were being offered 110,000 baht per installation by Provincial Electricity Administration (PEA) Northern region while consumers were being charged 140,000 baht.

He said comparable private installations cost around 100,000 baht, while reports of alleged kickbacks of 30,000 baht per installation raised further questions about the scheme's pricing and procurement arrangements.

He urged Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to explain how the subsidies would be distributed and who ultimately stood to benefit. If the government could not address the concerns, the programme should be cancelled, he said.

People's Party deputy leader Veerayooth Kanchoochat accused the Bhumjaithai-led government of using borrowed funds to benefit Chinese manufacturers and Thai intermediaries rather than develop domestic industries.

He questioned the value of the government's broader energy investment package, saying Thai businesses should receive greater support to manufacture smart grids, smart meters and battery energy storage systems.

He said the requirement to spend funds borrowed under the emergency loan decree by December 2027 left insufficient time to develop local production capabilities.

Both MPs called for greater scrutiny of government borrowing and procurement amid tightening fiscal constraints.

Mr Supachot said the party would pursue the allegations through parliamentary channels, including a possible no-confidence debate.

Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee has ordered an investigation into the allegations. He said the PEA Northern region office may have surveyed contractors to assess their readiness, but the reported payment arrangements remained unclear.

He said he would ask the PEA governor to clarify how contractors were selected and how payments were determined.