Due to policy adjustments, the Thai government recently terminated the cross-border electricity supply to Cambodia, making the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border increasingly tense. On the afternoon of August 5th, officials from the Electricity Authority of Thailand in Sa Kaeo Province dismantled the power lines and related equipment at the permanent border checkpoint of Ban Khlong Luek, completely cutting off the electricity supply to the city of Poipet in Cambodia.
This dismantling operation was led by Taweesak Koetsap, the manager of the Electricity Authority in Sa Kaeo Province, focusing on the area near the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge at the immigration checkpoint. Previously, this line had been providing crucial electrical support to the city of Poipet in Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia.
According to Thai media, this power cut is a response to Cambodia's previous unilateral decision to cut off electricity to the Poipet area. The Cambodian side announced it would stop relying on Thai electricity, leading to unstable power supply in parts of Poipet, forcing casinos and businesses to operate generators to maintain operations.
After the Thai government officially canceled the electricity sales agreement, the Electricity Authority dismantled all the equipment covered by the contract, including electric meters, transformers, and transmission lines, leaving only bare cables to ensure that no electricity could be supplied to Cambodia.
Pasit Junpasit, the deputy director of the Thai Electricity Authority, stated that similar power cut actions might extend to the Thai-Myanmar border to cooperate with security departments in combating cross-border fraud, but it will not affect normal electricity usage within Thailand.
Currently, the electricity at the Ban Khlong Luek border checkpoint and the Poipet port in Cambodia is completely cut off, complicating the regional situation further. As Thailand prepares to file a cross-border crime claim against Cambodia, the power outage could become a new catalyst for further deterioration in bilateral relations.
