The air in Phuket is brimming with tension, as a hot, sun-soaked Friday looms over the glamorous island’s pristine beaches and upscale resorts. A convergence of scheduled maintenance projects by the island’s utility supremos is set to leave the locals sweltering and scrambling for resources. Both power and water supplies will be unavailable, promising a day of discomfort for residents and tourists alike. The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) Phuket has issued a cautionary notice, alerting the entire Kamala area and parts of Cherng Talay of a temporary water shutdown from nine in the morning until half-past four in the afternoon on July 4, all due to an extensive power cut orchestrated by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA).
As the power goes out, a ripple effect of pandemonium will spread through Phuket’s glitzy tourist belt, shrouding everything from the bustling Thalang to the serene Surin Beach in an eerie silence as the upgrades to the high-voltage grid along Srisoonthorn Road unfold. “Make sure you have enough water stored in advance,” advised the PWA, emphasizing the need for preparation. They added, “Expect the water to be cloudy or filled with sediment upon resumption.” The affected zones include Soi Cherngtalay 14, Shanti Villas Bang Tao, DotBro e-bike Phuket, and Jorden Pilates, with a steep decline in water pressure expected to test everyone’s persistence, especially under Thailand’s relentless July sun.
The PEA clarifies that the outage is a necessary evil, vital for the installation of new electric poles and the revitalization of outdated infrastructure. Stretching from Thalang Power Station 3 to the panoramic Laem Singh Viewpoint, the blackout will sweep through Moo Baan 2, 3, and 5, enveloping significant swaths of the Cherng Talay district in darkness. Properties within the affected area include:
- Residential streets: Soi Bangtao 1, Soi Takdaed, Soi Cherngtalay 3, Bang Tao 7 and 11.
- Luxurious accommodations: Aiyaraburi Hotel, Surin Gate, Surin Height Management, Villa Thanasawan.
- Commercial establishments: Bangtao Place, Krabi Place Property, Bangtao Village Condo.
- Essential community centers: Bang Tao School, Bang Tao Temple, Mukarrom Mosque.
- Public services: Cherng Talay OrBorTor, Cherng Talay Waterworks, Provincial Waterworks pump station.
- Convenience stores: 7-Eleven Bang Tao Soi 11 won’t be an oasis this time.
A spokesperson for the PEA assured that this inconvenience is vital for upgrading the local power grid to bolster long-term reliability. However, they apologized for the interruptions. Encouraging early planning and providing updates, they advised contacting either the PWA or PEA for further information at the following contacts:
- PWA Phuket: 076-319173 or 063-4744565 | Call Centre: 1662
- PEA Thalang: 076-386882 | Hotline: 1129 | Facebook: PEA Phuket
With the prospect of no power and dwindling water supplies, residents and expats find themselves girding for what some have dramatically termed a “dry and dark disaster.” This scenario is exacerbated by the crowds of tourists who might find themselves helplessly perspiring. One resident of Bang Tao whimsically noted on Facebook, “Welcome to eco-friendly Phuket, where you can sweat it out without a shower and practice candlelit meditation.”
This is going to be a nightmare! How can they cut off both power and water on the same day during peak tourist season?
Look, infrastructure upgrades are a necessary evil if we want a sustainable future.
I get that, but couldn’t they at least stagger the projects? It’s going to be chaos!
I think it’s irresponsible to risk public safety like this. What if there’s an emergency?
Hopefully, they have emergency contingency plans in place. They must have considered these scenarios.
I hope so, but past experience shows preparedness isn’t always their strong suit.
Well, this will surely put a damper on my vacation plans. No power at the resort means no air conditioning.
Just think of it as an unplugged adventure. Embrace the chaos and enjoy nature, you know?
Haha, easier said than done when you’re sweating through your shirt at 8am.
An outage like this during tourist season sounds poorly planned. Couldn’t they have done this in the rainy season when fewer people visit?
You’d think so, but maybe everything’s more complicated when you’re dealing with an island’s infrastructure.
True, but they should still prioritize the people living and vacationing there!
Can someone explain to me why new electric poles are even necessary?
Upgrading infrastructure is vital. New poles mean better reliability and maybe new tech integration too.
Alright, fine. But why disrupt daily life so drastically for one day?
Phuket could use some political reform. A competent leadership would have handled this much better.
I personally live in Cherngtalay, and I think people are overreacting. It’s one day of inconvenience for long-term benefits.
That’s easy to say if you’re prepared, but what about those who can’t store water or rely on electricity for medical devices?
Fair point. But preparation is key, the authorities did give us a heads up.
Think of it as Earth meditation. Less electronics for a day. Turn it off and enjoy the silence.
Considering it’s July 4, I assume a lot of tourists expected July 4th celebrations. They’re in for a surprise!
Definitely, not the kind of fireworks they were expecting!
A silent night… in more ways than one.
Convenience stores being out is what will hit me the hardest. No cold drinks! Ack!
Just hope this power cut doesn’t impact the Internet or cell networks.
Without the Internet, it’ll feel like time is standing still!
Let’s try to remember all the electricity takes from the planet and view this as cleansing.
The advice to store water is smart. Better safe than sorry when infrastructure gets disrupted.
A spontaneous acoustic beach party could keep everyone entertained, just a thought.