Phuket blackout hits unsuspecting residents

PHUKET: The blackout that affected areas in Chalong for at least six hours yesterday was scheduled and should not have taken residents by surprise, the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority said today.

“The Provincial Electricity Authority has been installing high-voltage power cables from the substation to the circuit-breaker system for Soi Yodsanae, so they had to temporarily cut off power supply to the area,” said an officer at PPEA office in Phuket Town.

The officer said that leaflets were distributed to households in the area to announce the blackout.

“We announced that the power would be cut off from 11am to 4pm yesterday. Actually, we should have finished the work by 4pm, but we are still working on it,” he said after 5pm yesterday.

“The power should be back on in about 30 minutes,” he added

The officer said he did not know when the next “scheduled” blackout would occur.

“I suggest people keep checking announcements, which are made on every local cable TV channel and local radio stations,” he said.

The Gazette notes that the PPEA does not post information about scheduled blackouts on its website.

However, the office often suggests that residents contact the PPEA’s Operations and Maintenance Department on 076-211663, ext 45311, or Fax 076-219966 for more information.

— Orawin Narabal