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% due to 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). Guidelines have been developed to solve the problem of stolen power lines, such as specifying a clear work uniform for easy observation, 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. It is expected that all of these measures will be completed by June 2025.
For long-term preventive measures, new standards for electric poles have been developed, and the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has been coordinated to enforce the law against second-hand shops accepting stolen electrical lines. The Bangkok governor emphasized the need to address the issue of electric wire thieves seriously, as it causes significant damage. A campaign will be created in collaboration with relevant agencies to tackle this issue diligently.
Furthermore, 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 wire theft in the Bangkok area. This issue not only causes damage to state property worth millions of baht but also directly impacts the livelihoods of the people.