PRACHINBURI — 18 April 2026, a summer storm battered Kabin Buri district, toppling 24 electricity poles and paralysing traffic along Suwannason Road, while widespread power outages affected large parts of the province. Electricity was restored late at night, though clearance work continued.
At 1:00 on 18 April, local reporters said the storm struck the district on the evening of 17 April, with strong winds bringing down seven 115-kilovolt high-voltage steel poles and 17 low-voltage concrete poles, totalling 24.
The incident occurred near Khok Hom intersection on the inbound stretch towards Suan Nom Klao along the old Suwannason Road (Highway 33) in Muang Kao subdistrict. Fallen poles blocked one lane of traffic and disrupted the power distribution system, causing widespread blackouts across Prachinburi.
Bandit Panthum, manager of the Provincial Electricity Authority’s Kabin Buri office, said high-voltage poles carrying 20,000 volts collapsed and obstructed one inbound lane towards the municipal market. Crane trucks were deployed to remove debris and urgently repair the power system to ease disruption for residents.
Acting Sub Lt Thanongsak Suwannathami, head of the provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said Governor Weeraphan Dee-on had ordered relevant agencies, including disaster officials, the electricity authority, the highways department, Kabin Buri police and a rescue foundation, to coordinate operations.
Officials isolated damaged sections and managed the system to successfully restore electricity at about 20:00 on 17 April.
As of late night, one traffic lane remained closed to allow cranes and technicians to clear fallen poles and equipment. Lighting units were deployed to support overnight operations. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
