The plan to allocate 200 billion baht towards energy transition, focusing on rooftop solar systems and battery-powered vehicles, has raised concerns among economists and lawmakers over transparency and feasibility.
The funding, which represents half of the controversial 400-billion-baht emergency loan approved by the cabinet, is being criticised for lacking clear details and oversight.
People's Party MP and economist Anusorn Tamajai, vice-chairman of the House committee on finance, fiscal affairs, financial institutions and financial markets, warned that the scheme risks wasteful spending.
"I am confident that many projects under this 200-billion-baht scheme will be wasteful and excessive," he said, noting the absence of feasibility studies and performance evaluations.
Mr Anusorn argued that clean energy projects should be financed through the annual budget process, allowing parliamentary scrutiny, rather than through an emergency loan decree that bypasses oversight.
He said the plan offers only broad guidelines without concrete goals, methodologies or indicators. With the loan set to be spent within 18 months, doubts remain about whether meaningful progress can be achieved in such a short timeframe.
Thailand's struggle with the middle-income trap has been partly attributed to high energy costs and inefficient energy use.
Mr Anusorn urged the government to clarify how it will involve the private sector in co-investing in energy projects, with transparent criteria for payback periods and economic feasibility.
He also emphasised the need for investment in human capital, including training community technicians and local workers in solar cell installation, system design and maintenance.
Building a nationwide workforce of clean energy specialists, he said, would create local jobs, reduce migration to major cities and strengthen Thailand's energy resilience.
Additionally, Mr Anusorn called for integrated cross-ministerial collaboration to prepare engineers and technologists, while upgrading knowledge in smart grid technology, carbon capture and storage.
Smart grids would enable households to become electricity producers and sellers, enhancing both energy independence and economic opportunity.
