Supachot Accuses Energy Minister of Delaying PDP2026 Data Submission, Aiming to Block Legislative Oversight - Thairath English
Supachot accused the Energy Minister of ordering delays in submitting PDP2026 data, indicating attempts to block legislative oversight and expressing concern that Thai people might bear higher electricity costs and miss out on clean energy development.
On 6 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Supachot Chaisat, a list MP from the People’s Party, spoke about attending the Economic Development Committee meeting of the House of Representatives the previous day (5 Nov 2026 GMT+7). He expressed deep concern after the agency responsible for preparing Thailand’s Power Development Plan 2026 (PDP2026) failed to clarify details and refused to deliver progress data to the committee.
Supachot stated that during yesterday’s committee meeting, he proposed inviting the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), the main agency drafting the plan to present to the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), to explain progress and the key principles and assumptions used in formulating PDP2026. This plan is strategically important as it determines electricity capacity, energy direction, and electricity price structures that all Thai citizens will bear in the future.
However, EPPO representatives gave vague explanations to the committee without providing any new data or progress beyond what they had publicly announced. Supachot disclosed that he had previously proposed inviting EPPO to explain on 24 September, but the agency postponed, citing other commitments, and promised to send documents later. After more than a month elapsed, he again proposed inviting them, but the information received was incomplete, notably missing meeting minutes concerning the discussion of assumptions, which are crucial to the plan’s development. EPPO is scheduled to complete PDP2026 by December, and historically, it has cooperated with the committee.
Supachot suggested that recent delays and refusal to provide key data to the committee might result from political orders or pressure aiming to conceal information due to fears that opposition MPs would uncover irregularities or suspicious details to use during a no-confidence debate. He views these actions as unacceptable attempts to obstruct and weaken the legislative branch’s oversight and checks and balances role.
Supachot concluded that PDP2026 is a master plan shaping Thailand’s energy direction and future for 25 years. Blocking information, hindering scrutiny, and excluding public participation today will cause Thailand to lose a vital opportunity to transition to a clean energy society. It may also lead citizens to bear unnecessarily high electricity costs. Therefore, he urged the Energy Minister to act sincerely by promoting transparency and instructing relevant agencies to promptly disclose all assumptions to the committee and the public, restoring the public’s right to information and oversight.
