Allegations of Market Manipulation in Thailand's People's Solar Project
Opposition MP Supachot Chaiyasat has raised concerns regarding potential monopolistic practices within the government's People's Solar Project, citing suspicious corporate links.
On November 1, 2026, People's Party (PP) list MP Supachot Chaiyasat publicly questioned the integrity of the government's 'People's Solar Project.' While the initiative was promoted as a program offering citizens the freedom to choose their own solar installation providers without restrictive quotas, Supachot claims his investigation reveals significant irregularities. According to his findings, at least 60 companies approved for the project share identical registered office addresses. Furthermore, he identified a network of over 120 companies where board members hold cross-shareholdings, suggesting a coordinated effort to dominate the market under the guise of independent competition. Supachot argues that this structure effectively traps consumers into choosing from a single network of capital interests, regardless of which company they select. The MP also highlighted reports indicating that 60% to 70% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have withdrawn from the project, leaving only 30% of the original participants active. For residents and potential investors, these allegations suggest that the solar installation market may be less competitive than officially presented, potentially impacting service quality and pricing. It remains to be confirmed whether these corporate links violate any specific regulations or if the government will launch a formal investigation into the project's procurement and selection processes.
