Thailand cuts power to two Myanmar towns

Shwe Kokko, a Myanmar border town across the Moei river opposite Ban Wang Pha in Tak's Mae Ramat district of Thailand, with the lights still on. (Photo: Assawin Pinitwong)

The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Thailand has cut off the supply of electricity across the Moei river to two border towns in Myanmar where groups of Chinese businessmen have made huge illegal investments, at the request of the Myanmar government, Thai official sources said.

The two border towns are Shwe Kokko, opposite Thailand's Mae Ramat district, and Ban Le Le Ko, opposite Mae Sot district. Both are in Myanmar's Karen State.