Monthly Utility Cost Overview
Electricity in Phuket — The Full Story
Electricity in Phuket is supplied by PEA — the Provincial Electricity Authority (การไฟฟ้าส่วนภูมิภาค). PEA runs the grid across Phuket province. Most houses and villas have their electricity account either in the landlord's name or directly in the tenant's name.
PEA Residential Rates 2026
The PEA tiered tariff for residential users in 2026:
| Monthly Units (kWh) | Rate per Unit | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0–150 units | ฿3.24/unit | Minimal use (fans only, minimal AC) |
| 151–400 units | ฿4.22/unit | Moderate AC (2–3 units, 4–6 hrs/day) |
| 401+ units | ฿4.40/unit | Heavy AC use (all rooms, long hours) |
| Service charge | ฿38.22/month | Fixed monthly regardless of usage |
For a family in a 3-bedroom pool villa running AC in multiple rooms: expect 300–600 units/month, costing approximately ฿1,300–2,700/month at PEA rates. Hot months (March–May) will be higher.
The Landlord Surcharge Explained
Here's how the problem arises: the property has one PEA meter in the landlord's name. The landlord pays PEA at the official tiered rate. They then re-bill the tenant based on sub-meter readings — but at a higher rate, typically ฿7–10/unit.
This is technically legal in Thailand for residential rentals if disclosed and agreed in the rental contract. Many landlords don't disclose it clearly — it's buried or just assumed.
How to Avoid the Surcharge
You have three options:
- Negotiate a direct PEA meter — Ask the landlord to put a PEA meter in the tenant's name or have a separate sub-meter verified against PEA billing. Some landlords agree to this. Requires a small PEA setup fee (฿1,000–2,000).
- Contract clause at PEA rate — Have the contract state that electricity will be charged at the official PEA rate. Even if it goes through the landlord's meter, this caps what they can charge you.
- Factor it into rent negotiation — If the landlord insists on a surcharge rate, negotiate the base rent down by the expected monthly difference. At least then the total cost is predictable and agreed.
AC Usage — Your Biggest Bill Variable
Air conditioning is not optional in Phuket. Temperatures range from 28–36°C for most of the year. Here's what AC costs at PEA rates:
| AC Unit Size | Typical Use | Units/Day | Cost/Month (PEA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,000 BTU (bedroom) | 8 hrs/day | ~3.5 kWh | ฿420–550 |
| 12,000 BTU (bedroom) | 8 hrs/day | ~4.5 kWh | ฿540–700 |
| 18,000 BTU (living room) | 6 hrs/day | ~6 kWh | ฿720–950 |
| 24,000 BTU (large room) | 8 hrs/day | ~9 kWh | ฿1,080–1,430 |
For a 3-bedroom villa: 2 bedroom ACs + 1 living room AC running moderate hours = approximately ฿2,000–3,500/month electricity at PEA rates during normal season. Hot months can push this to ฿5,000+.
Reducing Your Electricity Bill
- Use ceiling fans alongside AC — setting AC 2°C higher and using a fan feels just as cool; saves 15–25% on AC bills
- Keep AC at 25–26°C, not 20°C — every degree matters at Phuket temperatures
- Service ACs every 3–4 months — dirty filters make units work harder and consume more power
- Close curtains/blinds during the day — Phuket's direct sun heats rooms rapidly through glass
- Timer settings — most modern ACs can be set to turn off at 2–3am; most people sleep fine with just a fan from that point
Water in Phuket
Water is cheap and straightforward. Most properties use a combination of PWA (Provincial Waterworks Authority) mains supply and a roof storage tank system.
How the Tank System Works
PWA fills the roof tank periodically. A pump then delivers pressurised water to taps and showers from the tank. The system means you're not dependent on mains pressure — useful in Phuket where supply can occasionally dip during peak dry season.
The PWA tariff is approximately ฿8–15 per cubic metre for residential use, plus a service charge of around ฿50/month. A family using 20 cubic metres/month would pay ฿210–350 for water — genuinely negligible.
Drinking Water
Do not drink Phuket tap water. Options:
- 20-litre water jugs — delivered to your door, ฿15–25 per jug depending on location. A couple uses 2–3 jugs per week (฿120–300/month). Most expats use this system
- RO (reverse osmosis) filter — installed under the kitchen sink, ฿3,000–6,000 for the unit. Provides unlimited filtered water. Filters need changing every 6–12 months (฿500–1,000). Best value if staying 2+ years
Internet and Mobile Data
Phuket has excellent internet infrastructure in most expat-heavy areas. Main fibre providers:
| Provider | Speed | Monthly Price | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIS Fibre | 300 Mbps | ฿590 | 12 months |
| AIS Fibre | 500 Mbps | ฿699 | 12 months |
| AIS Fibre | 1,000 Mbps | ฿999 | 12 months |
| True Online | 300 Mbps | ฿599 | 12 months |
| True Online | 500 Mbps | ฿699 | 12 months |
| True Online | 1,000 Mbps | ฿1,099 | 12 months |
| NT (ex-TOT) | 100 Mbps | ฿399 | 12 months |
Call AIS (1175) or True (1686) to check fibre availability at your specific address before committing to a lease. Most Bang Tao, Rawai, Chalong, and Phuket Town addresses have fibre. Some hillside or inland areas have cable only, which is slower.
For mobile data: AIS, DTAC (now merged with True), and DTAC/True have the best coverage in Phuket. A 30-day unlimited data SIM runs ฿299–699 depending on speed.
Gas (Cooking)
Most Phuket kitchens use LPG gas cylinders for cooking. A standard 15kg cylinder costs approximately ฿350–450 and lasts 4–6 weeks for a couple cooking regularly. Delivery is available from local gas shops — ask your neighbours or landlord for the number of the local delivery person. This is genuinely one of Phuket's most affordable ongoing costs.
Pool Maintenance
If your property has a private pool (most expat villa rentals do), budget ฿1,500–4,000/month for a weekly pool service. This includes chemicals, cleaning, and filter maintenance. Some landlords include this in the rent; others expect the tenant to arrange it. Confirm upfront — a neglected pool turns green within 2–3 weeks in Phuket's heat.