Thailand’s overall energy consumption increased by 2.1% in the first three months of 2026 compared to the previous year. This rise signals potential impacts on British expatriates through adjustments to household budgets and transport expenses.
Household and Transport Costs
Electricity use saw a notable increase of 4.9%. Specifically, household electricity consumption rose by 8.8%, indicating that expats may face higher utility bills. For cooking, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumption grew by 4.2%, with household use up 1.7%, suggesting a slight increase in cooking gas costs.
Fuel prices are also a factor. Refined oil consumption rose by 4.9% overall. Petrol use increased by 6.3%. Diesel consumption went up by 5.1%, partly due to uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict. These figures suggest individuals driving cars or motorbikes in Thailand could face higher costs at the pump. Demand for jet fuel rose by 4.3%, reflecting a 7.4% increase in air traffic. This might influence the cost of both international and domestic flights.
Economic Context
The growth in energy consumption aligns with Thailand’s broader economic performance. The country’s gross domestic product expanded by 2.8% during the same period, suggesting economic stability. Goods exports grew by 9.8%, and the accommodation and food services sector expanded by 2.2%. While the number of foreign visitors decreased slightly to 9.32 million, the overall economic picture remains one of expansion.
Environmental Footprint
Despite increased energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions from energy use saw a marginal decrease of 0.3% year-on-year. This reduction was primarily due to lower emissions from the power generation sector. Furthermore, the number of registered battery electric vehicles (BEVs) grew substantially, up 68% to over 435,000 units. This indicates a continuing shift towards less carbon-intensive transport options in Thailand over time.
