Poipet: Cambodia cuts off power lines from Thailand and switches to connecting electricity from Vietnam instead. Poipet residents complain that the electricity is on and off, making it impossible to use electrical appliances as usual.
According to Thai News Agency, at the Poipet border crossing on the Cambodian side yesterday, after Cambodian officials opened the Poipet border crossing at 9:00 a.m., Cambodian electricity officials proceeded to cut the power transmission lines from Thailand. They then connected electricity ordered from Vietnam to the transmission lines to supply power to the Poipet system instead, leading to a temporary power outage of approximately 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, a Cambodian resident in Poipet posted on social media that after the authorities switched to using electricity from Vietnam, the electricity consistency was affected. Some areas in Poipet experienced electricity going on and off, while others faced severe power outages, making it difficult for people to use electrical appliances as usual.
In a related development, it was revealed that Koh Kong Province did not face a power outage because it continues using electricity from Thailand. In Trat Province, Mr. Sopon Yonjohor, Manager of the Provincial Electricity Authority of Trat Province, stated that the Provincial Electricity Authority has an ongoing contract to sell electricity to Cambodia, managed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Koh Kong Province, adjacent to Khlong Yai District, Trat Province, originally signed a purchase-sale contract in September 1997 for 10 years, with a capacity of 6 megawatts. The contract has been renewed annually, and since 2013, Cambodia increased its electricity purchase to 10 megawatts due to rising electricity usage.
The Provincial Electricity Authority of Trat Province is also preparing to sell electricity to Cambodia at three additional locations. These include Ban Tha Sen, Laem Klat Subdistrict, opposite Ban Songkhom Thamey; Ban Khao Wong, Khlong Yai Subdistrict, opposite Ban Khiri Wong; and Ban Mamuang, Nonthri Subdistrict, opposite Ban Phanom Buan Roi. Currently, there is no order to cut off electricity to Cambodia's Koh Kong Province, and electricity use continues as usual. Mr. Yonjohor emphasized that they are prepared to cut off electricity immediately if instructed, without concerns about income.