Khomsan Wetchpan, head of the
Pattaya Volunteer Civic Club, files a complaint with Prawit Chaibuadaeng,
Department of Special Investigations Eastern Region director.
Phasakorn Channgam
A citizens’ watchdog group has asked Thailand’s top
law-enforcement agency to investigate nearly two dozen cases of Pattaya
businesses stealing electricity.
Khomsan Wetchpan, president of the Pattaya Volunteer
Civic Club, filed a petition with Department of Special Investigations
Eastern Region director, Prawit Chaibuadaeng July 12. Khomsan, 25, said the
group has documented 19 cases in which businesses have illegally tied in
their own direct connection to the power grid.
The watchdog group’s investigation began after a
complaint from a telephone line contractor, who pointed out that businesses
were stealing power from the Provincial Electrical Authority. A further
investigation discovered some of the offenders were large hotels and even an
area cable-television operator.
Khomsan said stealing electricity affects everyone, as it
not only leads to higher utility charges, but contributes to power spikes
and blackouts.
Prawit said a preliminary DSI investigation backed up the
group’s evidence and that DSI has invited the PEA to file a formal
complaint.
