Bangkok: Bangkok has launched an operation to shock thieves who steal electrical wires and has strictly enforced the law to crack down on stores that accept stolen goods. It has urgently repaired power outages on 21 routes, which is expected to be completed by June.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, chaired the 3/2025 meeting of the Bangkok Executive Committee, with the Bangkok Executive Committee attending the meeting at the Rattanakosin Room, Bangkok City Hall, Giant Swing, Phra Nakhon District.
In the meeting of the Department of Public Works, the cause of the power outage was reported as 50% of damaged equipment, followed by stolen power lines at 35%, humidity at 10%, broken main lines at 4%, and natural disasters at 1%. Of this, 90% belong to the BMA and 10% to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA). In addition, guidelines have been developed to solve the problem of stolen power lines, such as specifying a clear work uniform for easy observation, specifying a sticker format for vehicles performing urgent electrical repairs, a pattern for routing aerial lines, and installing an IoT system in the control cabinet of the lighting system. As for urgent measures to solve the problem of power outages, aerial lines were installed along 21 roads where there were problems with theft of electrical lines. It is expected that all of these measures will be completed by June 2025. In terms of long-term preventive measures, new standards for electric poles have been developed, and the Metropolitan Police B ureau (MPB) has been coordinated to enforce the law to punish second-hand shops that accept stolen electrical lines.
In this regard, the Bangkok governor emphasized that we must be serious about the issue of electric wire thieves because it causes a lot of damage. We should create a campaign together with relevant agencies to help take care of this issue seriously.
In addition, the BMA has launched the 'Operation to Shock Wire Thieves' and has mobilized cooperation from all sectors, including the use of technology, strict law enforcement, and public participation, to prevent and reduce damage from the problem of wire theft in the Bangkok area, which not only causes damage to state property worth millions of baht, but also has a direct impact on the livelihoods of the people.