Curtailing Bodies While Transporting on a Motorized Scooter Over a Wire Suspension
In recent years, Thailand has been actively addressing the issue of loose power and communication cables hanging above its streets and sidewalks. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and its partner agencies have taken the lead in this initiative, aiming to relocate overhead cables underground to improve safety, aesthetics, and reduce hazards from disorganized wires.
The focus of this project is particularly evident on Ngamwongwan Road, a significant transport corridor, where MEA plans to remove overhead cables along a 4.5 km stretch by August 2024 and continue underground cabling for an additional 4 km. The ultimate goal is to clear overhead cables from 697 routes totaling over 1,563 km, replacing obsolete wires with new fire-retardant communication lines on dedicated brackets.
In 2025, MEA plans to remove overhead cables on 47 key routes in Bangkok and surrounding areas, including Rama IV Road, Witthayu Road, Lat Phrao Road, and others. These routes span across the city and its suburbs, with the project expected to significantly improve the overall safety and appearance of these areas.
However, the issue of cable-related accidents is not a new one in Thailand. Incidents such as the decapitation of a motorcyclist in Khon Kaen in 2017 serve as a grim reminder of the potential dangers posed by these loose cables. Victims and their families have often expressed outrage and demanded punishment for those responsible in the aftermath of such accidents.
While the search results focus on MEA’s overhead cable removal in Bangkok and nearby provinces, there is no direct information on similar projects for loose communication cables in other parts of Thailand. However, the ongoing digital infrastructure growth in the country, including expansion of data centers and telecommunications networks to support 5G and cloud services, may further necessitate improvements in cable management and underground wiring in urban areas.
The responsibility for preventing cable-related accidents is often passed among various entities, including police, city administrations, politicians, power providers, and telecommunications companies. In July 2024, a plan was announced to bury cables on 47 streets totaling 171 kilometers in length, suggesting a concerted effort to address this issue.
Despite these efforts, cable tangles remain a nuisance for locals in most parts of Bangkok, and in some cases, even serve as an exotic selfie backdrop for tourists. The Sukhumvit Road, a six-lane main thoroughfare with luxurious hotels, shopping malls, office towers, and red-light districts, is no exception.
In the past, Thailand has faced challenges in implementing plans to bury cables due to inadequate coordination among agencies and companies. However, with the growing emphasis on safety and aesthetics, it is hoped that these challenges will be overcome, leading to a safer and more attractive urban landscape for all.
[1] Source: MEA's Overhead Cable Removal Project [3] Source: Digital Infrastructure Growth in Thailand
- To further improve the living and working conditions in Thailand, it's essential that the focus on underground cabling, initiated by MEA, is extended to home-and-garden areas for a more organized and safe lifestyle.
- As the digital infrastructure in Thailand expands to support 5G and cloud services, it's crucial to also address the issue of loose communication cables in home-and-garden spaces, ensuring a consistent approach to cable management in all urban areas, enhancing the overall lifestyle.
