Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has vowed today to cease supplying power to border towns in Myanmar if activities there are affecting national security.
The PEA’s deputy governors, Pradit Fuangfoo and Prasit Junprasit, held a press conference today, in response to widespread calls for the PEA to stop supplying power to some border towns to weaken scam operations based there.
They stated that a cabinet resolution in 1996 allowed, in principle, for the PEA to supply power to border towns of neighbouring countries and, currently, the PEA supplies electricity, via subsidiaries and sub-contractors which have been granted concessions by the Myanmar government to:
1. Ban Jedi Sam Ong, Payatongsu town in Mon state, Mya Pan Investment and Manufacturing Company Limited
2. Ban Muang Daeng, Ta Chilek, Shan state, Allure Group (P&E) Co., Ltd
3. The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, Ta Chilek, Shan state, Allure Group (P&E) Co., Ltd
4. The second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, Myawaddy, Karen state, through Nyi Naung Oo Co., Ltd and Enova Grid Enterprise (Myanmar) Co., Ltd
5. Ban Huay Muang, Myawaddy, through Shwe Myint Thaung Yinn Industry & Manufacturing Co., Ltd (SMTY)
Pradit said that the PEA will halt the supply if the subsidiaries or sub-contractors refuse to pay electricity fees, fail to provide contract collateral or if the supply affects national security.
His office needs a decision from Thai security authorities and the government as to whether to cut the supply. “If they agree that national security is affected, the PEA is ready to terminate the supply,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prasit said the PEA will meet with Thai security authorities, possibly on February 4 or 6.
He is unsure, however, whether the meeting next month will resolve the issue.
