Pickup truck knocks down 52 power poles in Chiang Mai, causing major blackout

A drinking water pickup truck struck a power pole in Chiang Mai’s Mueang district on Tuesday, causing the pole to fall and triggering a chain reaction that brought down 51 other power poles, resulting in a massive blackout that affected over 217,000 residents.

The accident occurred on Nong Hor Road in Tambon Chang Puak at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. According to the Chiang Mai office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the blackout impacted residents in Mueang, Mae Rim, and Sansai districts for approximately 28 minutes before the Provincial Electricity Authority restored power by 3.28 p.m.

However, 34 houses near the accident site remained without power as of Wednesday morning.

The damage report from the DDPM outlined the following:

• 52 power poles, including 24 115-kV high voltage poles, 23 22-kV high voltage poles, and five low voltage poles
• 7 transformers
• 34 electricity meters
• 20 houses and vehicles, with some damaged when power poles fell on them

The pickup driver, identified as Songchai, 35, suffered severe injuries and was admitted to Nakhon Ping Hospital. Tragically, his passenger, Boonyarit Charoenwong, 28, was fatally injured and passed away at the hospital. In response to the incident, Chiang Mai electricity officials mobilized 162 workers to clear the wreckage and restore power.