Thailand is facing an urgency to enhance its energy security and capacity to cope with global warming
impacts, as demands on fossil fuel consumption keep rising. This paper reviewed the latest situation on
renewable powers and developmental strategies toward low carbon electricity generation in Thailand.
Government recently has spent tremendous financial and legislative supports to promote the uses of
indigenous renewable energy resources and fuel diversification while contributing in reduction of global
greenhouse gas. Major policy challenge is on which types of renewable energy should be more
pronounced to ensure sustainable future of the country. Regions in Thailand present different potentials
for renewable supply on biomass, municipal wastes, hydropower, and wind. To maximize renewable
energy development in each area, location is matter. Currently, energy-derived biomass is widely
utilized within the country, however if droughts happen more often and severe, it will not only affect
food security but also energy security. Life cycle of biomass energy production may cause other social
issues on land and chemical uses. Meanwhile, deployment of wind and solar energy has been slow and
needs to speed up to the large extent in comparison with energy proportion from biomass. Nuclear
power has already been included in the Thai power development plan 2010 (PDP-2010). However, public
acceptance is a major issue. Setting up strategic renewable energy zone to support power producer
according to pre-determined potential location may assist development direction. Furthermore,
government has to strongly subsidize research and development to lower technology cost and promote
private investment on renewable energy industry. In the future, revision of electricity price is needed to
allow fair competition between non-renewable and renewable energy once subsidy programs are ended.
Environmental tax according to fuel types could help government progressing toward low carbon
electricity. Stimulating renewable energy development and utilization at local community is a key for
Thai sufficiency economy.