Ranong and Phangnga hit by 30-hour power blackout

Hospitals, hotels and banks worst affected

Damage to a main power supply line by a thunderstorm resulted in a power blackout in many districts of Ranong and Takua Pa district of Phangnga, which lasted nearly 30 hours.

The blackout disrupted the operations of industrial factories, hospitals, hotels, communications and tap water supply before electricity came back on at 5.20pm yesterday.

A statement by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand said the power cut began at 12.42am on Friday when the 115-kilowatt transmission line between Surat Thai and Takua Pa district snapped during a thunderstorm at Thung Kha Ngok district, Phangnga province.

The subsequent power blackout hit Takua Pa district of Phangnga and Suk Samran sub-district and Kapoe, Muang and La-un districts of Ranong.

The blackout forced many industrial factories to close. Chaos reigned at commercial banks where a large number of people had gathered to withdraw their pay. Hotels without back-up power generators had to transfer customers elsewhere. At hospitals, only accident wards and operation rooms were supplied with power while other sections had to make do with candlelight.

--The Post 2004-05-02

Yes, a forced holiday, picnics, BBQ and candlelight, very romantic.

J

Ranong