The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Thailand halted the supply of electricity to two Myanmar border towns following a request from the Myanmar government. These towns, located across the Moei River, have been the site of significant illegal investments by groups of Chinese businessmen.

 

Shwe Kokko and Ban Le Le Ko, both situated in Myanmar’s Karen State, are the two border towns affected by the power cut. Shwe Kokko is located opposite Thailand’s Ban Wang Pha in Tambon Mae Charao, Mae Ramat district, while Ban Le Le Ko is situated opposite Mae Ku Mai Tha Sung, the Moo 3 village in Tambon Mae Ku, Mae Sot district. Chinese investors have reportedly poured over US$1.5 billion into casinos, entertainment complexes, and housing estates in Shwe Kokko, with similar investments made in Ban Le Le Ko.

 

The Myanmar government’s request to cut off the electricity supply to these towns has been met with compliance from the PEA, which stopped providing power from midnight. However, the reasons behind this decision remain unclear, with some speculating that it may be connected to a memorandum of understanding signed by Thailand, China, and Myanmar. This agreement focuses on the joint suppression of drugs, cross-border criminals, online gambling, and call centres.

 

A Thai businessman involved in cross-border trade revealed that residents of Shwe Kokko had anticipated the power outage and purchased generators for their personal use, reported Bangkok Post.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Photo Courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/thailand-cuts-power-to-myanmar-border-towns-amid-illegal-chinese-investments

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-06

 

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well thai government not shocked only them but me too.

i never paid this much high bill (last 2 months) for 17 years in thailand... 

There has been inflation all over the world , not only Thailand. In Eu too, electricity and gas has been high for a good while now. Terrible for the poor who can’t pay their bills. 

Thailand cutting power to Chinese owned business in Myanmar... what a tangled mess.

In other news, Thai manufacturers reported brisk export sales of domestic electrical generators to Burma.

Mr Ker-ching, the owner of a border casino said his stand-by generators had started automatically when the grid supply failed and there had been no inconvenience to his customers