City Water Bills

[Big Boy]

Does anybody know what is happening with the billing for City Water please?

A few months back they 'improved' the system for paying for City Water. We were on a makeshift system for a few months, which resulted in massive queues at the Water Office. They asked us to be patient whilst they completed the new system.

We are now into month 3 where the interim system seems to have collapsed, and the new IT system isn't working. I believe the IT system is being developed in-house, so could take years to fix (judging by other Thai IT systems). My water bill is now 3 months overdue - anybody know what we should be doing?

My entire Soi is in the same boat, and I know the situation is the same in my daughter's Soi.

I watch my water meter daily, waiting for the warning notice of cut-off to be attached.

[Dannie Boy]

What do the Water Company say?


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[Big Boy]

That is the point, the last thing I saw them say was apologising for the long queues/promising the new system wouldn't be long in coming. Problem is, the new system involves a new IT system. Thailand's track record with new IT is not good.

So to answer your question, they appear to have gone quiet.

We have already decided that if we hear nothing before Monday, we will go to their office. I will, of course report back. However, I was hoping somebody might already have some information.

[Dannie Boy]

I was expecting that you would have already paid them a visit, at least that’s what I would have done.


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[Big Boy]

No, the advice was to avoid the place whilst they were fixing it. Problem is, the advice is all in Thai, and I rely on less than perfect translators. Also, if they do the Thai thing, and try to make messages look pretty, I am likely to miss it.

[Nereus]

There used to be a really nice older lady in that horrible place that spoke good English. You could try asking for her, but I have forgotten her name.

[Big Boy]

I'll get Mrs BB to do the asking, but thanks anyway.

[hhinner]

We pay our water bill by direct debit and as far as I can see all the bills for this year have been paid as normal. Maybe direct debit doesn't use the new system?

[Big Boy]

I'd read that during the interim system all previous payment methods had ended, we'd have a short interim period when everybody had to queue at the office, followed by a plethora of payment methods available after the interim period.

If you are paying by direct debit, I presume your meter is still being read, else how do they know how much to take? I've seen no evidence of that in our Soi for a few months, so I'm not sure what it will be possible to pay, if anything on Monday.

[hhinner]

I'd read that during the interim system all previous payment methods had ended, we'd have a short interim period when everybody had to queue at the office, followed by a plethora of payment methods available after the interim period.

If you are paying by direct debit, I presume your meter is still being read, else how do they know how much to take? I've seen no evidence of that in our Soi for a few months, so I'm not sure what it will be possible to pay, if anything on Monday.

I assume the water meter is being read. Maybe they're just making up random usage numbers?

[Big Boy]

We've been down there, and they have significant problems. They only have data to the end of April, so that is all that we could pay. I guess they must be using some sort of guesstimate for those paying by direct debit.

There is no light at the end of the tunnel regarding when the 'improved' system may work. Advice was to return next month, and they MAY have data for the next month's water.

We didn't learn anything new.

[Dannie Boy]

At least it sounds like they won’t be turning your supply off any time soon!!


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[Big Boy]

I'm just making sure I hold on to all receipts because I have a feeling playing catchup is going to be as big a task as fixing the system itself. As for being cut-off, at least I know I should have a month's grace compared to the rest of my Soi.

I can only imagine they have stopped meter reading because the old method is not compatible with the 'improved' system. There doesn't seem to be a contingency plan in place.

[Big Boy]

It's looking as if the new system might be ready soon...

Hua Hin officials provide update on new online water billing system
The Hua Hin Municipal Waterworks Department is preparing to launch a new mobile application, HH Smart, designed to make it easier to pay water bills and keep residents informed about water services.

The app will be available in both Thai and English.

On July 3, 2024, Deputy Mayor of Hua Hin, Mr. Atichat Chaisri, chaired a meeting to monitor the progress of the online water bill payment system. The meeting, held at the Chom Sin meeting room in the Hua Hin Municipality Office, was attended by municipal council member Mr. Cheep Suksri and officials from the Waterworks Division.

Representatives from Genetic Plus Co., Ltd. provided an update on the development of the HH Smart application. They announced that the app is now complete and ready for download on both Android and iOS platforms. The final step before its release is for the Waterworks Division to update user information to ensure accuracy.

The HH Smart app includes features such as reports on the water situation, a meter reading system with water bill notifications, and various online payment options, including internet banking and QR code payments. However, any outstanding water bills will still need to be paid in person at the Hua Hin Municipality Waterworks Office. The back-end system will enable the Waterworks Division to monitor online payments on a daily basis, ensuring up-to-date records.

The current version of the app is the first release, with plans for future updates to expand and enhance the information available. The official launch date for the HH Smart application will be announced soon.

Officials say residents of Hua Hin can look forward to a more efficient and user-friendly way to manage their water bills with the upcoming release of HH Smart.

https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-new ... ng-system/

[hhinner]

Looks like the direct debit method wasn't used in June (for us anyway). No payment deducted. Inconvenience looming?!