The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) in Loei has initiated a project to relocate electric transformers beneath the ground in the popular tourist destination of Chiang Khan. The primary goal of this endeavor is to reduce the risk of fire incidents in Chiang Khan, a region renowned for its centuries-old wooden houses.
Komkrit Siriyutthaseanyakorn, the local head of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, pointed out that shifting transformers from traditional concrete power poles would not only enhance the stability of the power supply but also enhance the visual appeal of the area by eliminating visible power cables. Chiang Khan, situated alongside the Mekong River in the northeastern province, attracts an annual influx of four to five million tourists, generating over a billion baht in tourism-related revenue.
Praphan Srinuan, Deputy Governor of the Council of Engineers Thailand, stated that the PEA has conducted a comprehensive survey of the area and has formulated plans for placing transformers underground, particularly along the well-known Chiang Khan Walking Street. There have been proposals from the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations and the Engineering Institute of Thailand to transform Chiang Khan into the first smart city with environmentally friendly underground transformers.
Siriwit Pornpanwatcharadech, Deputy Director of the transmission system design division at the state utility, disclosed that the PEA will be employing a transformer model developed by Chulalongkorn University. He expressed confidence that by reducing the risk of fires in wooden houses, the safety of residents, tourists, and PEA personnel would be significantly improved. Additionally, this move is anticipated to stimulate local tourism and business activities, cut down on carbon emissions, and expand usable green spaces.
Drawing from the success of a similar initiative in the Siam Square area, where underground transformers and power cables considerably enhanced pedestrian safety and made Bangkok’s city center a preferred tourist destination, Sombat Vanichprapa, a consultant for the Chula Smart City project, highlighted the positive outcomes of such a transformation.
The underground transformer model, employing an environmentally friendly submersible transformer, received recognition at the 2023 Thailand Energy Awards and the 2023 ASEAN Energy Awards, according to reports in the Bangkok Post.
