BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has called on the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) to clarify the cause of a major power outage that affected wide areas of Bangkok late on August 5. The blackout occurred around 10:12 PM, impacting neighborhoods including Saphan Khwai, Phaya Thai, Pradiphat Road, and Rama VI Road. Power was fully restored by 11:50 PM.
The ERC is demanding a detailed report from the MEA on the root cause, corrective actions, and preventive measures to avoid future incidents. Citizens affected by the outage have voiced frustration online, demanding clear explanations and, in some cases, compensation—especially since the area includes key economic zones and dense residential populations. Public infrastructure, traffic lights, and internet signals were all reportedly affected.
The MEA issued a preliminary statement attributing the blackout to a technical malfunction at a substation during routine system maintenance preparations. It stressed that the incident was not related to terrorism or cyber threats. A full explanation of the equipment failure will follow.
According to ERC regulations, electricity providers must meet defined service quality standards. The case may warrant investigation into whether penalties or consumer compensation measures will be applied. (TNA)
