Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) said electricity sold to Myanmar follows Thai-Myanmar protocols and pledged to halt distribution across the border if contract breaches are identified.
PEA Deputy Governor Prasit Junprasit said PEA supplies electricity to Myanmar in five areas: Payathonzu town in Karen State, two parts of Tachilek town in Shan State and two areas in Myawaddy town in Karen State.
He said PEA suspended electricity distribution to two areas in Myanmar following a request from the Myanmar Embassy in Thailand in 2023. The energy was cut off from Ban Wang Pha in Tak to Shwe Kokko in Myawaddy and from Ban Mae Ku Mai Tha Sung to Myawaddy.
The PEA also ended supply from Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai to Tachileik in Shan State in 2024 because the contractual party failed to pay the power bills.
He said the PEA had worked closely with security agencies in Thailand and Myanmar, and was ready to cut off electricity to prevent call center scam gangs and criminals from using services from Thai providers to commit or support illegal acts across the border, should such cases arise.
He also guaranteed that Thai users living along the border and relying on PEA services would not be affected by such moves.
This story first appeared in The Bangkok Post.
