SURIN/BURIRAM, THAILAND – Violent summer storms overnight toppled power pylons and a large billboard in Surin and Buriram, causing blackouts, road closures and major traffic disruption, while authorities warned of life‑threatening risks from downed power lines.
Storms batter the northeast
Severe summer storms swept across northeastern Thailand during the night, causing significant disruption in the provinces of Surin and Buriram. Heavy rain and strong winds damaged infrastructure and blocked key transport routes.
The incidents occurred in quick succession, with the Surin damage reported late on 17 April and the Buriram incident in the early hours of 18 April. In both cases, emergency crews had to deploy heavy machinery.
Surin: High-voltage pylons fall along Highway 226
In Surin, the storm hit the Surin–Sikhoraphum route along Highway 226, bringing down several high-voltage transmission pylons. The affected stretch lay between Ban Phama and Ban An Sai Et in Charaphat subdistrict, Sikhoraphum district.
Initial inspections showed damage over more than three kilometres, with at least 20 pylons falling across the road. Debris blocked one lane, forcing drivers to navigate the area cautiously in near total darkness.
Blackout in Sikhoraphum
The collapse of the 115‑kV pylons triggered a widespread power outage that left the entire Sikhoraphum district without electricity. The damage affected not only transmission infrastructure but also required work on the distribution network.
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) deployed emergency teams and used a 30‑tonne crane to recover the fallen pylons and start repairs on the 22‑kV distribution system. The stated aim was to restore supply as quickly as possible.
Electric shock danger: warnings to road users
Authorities urged travellers on the Surin–Si Sa Ket route, particularly on the northern side, to exercise extreme caution. They warned of possible power leakage and stressed that no one should approach fallen pylons or hanging cables.
Residents were asked to use the route only when absolutely necessary and to strictly follow warning signs and instructions from the highway police. Electrical hazards could be reported around the clock to the PEA Contact Center on 1129.
Buriram: Billboard blocks Nong Ki junction
In a separate incident in Buriram, another summer storm in Nong Ki around 00:27 brought down a large roadside billboard. The structure collapsed across the entire carriageway at a junction on 4 Singha Road on the Nong Ki–Yoei Prasat route.
No one was injured because the incident occurred at night, when traffic volume was low. However, the junction was completely blocked, and the traffic situation escalated quickly.
Morning transport problems
By 07:00 the situation remained critical, as the road could not be fully reopened. Large trucks, in particular, were unable to pass or take effective detours, effectively cutting off an important transport link.
Authorities mobilised heavy equipment to cut up and remove the debris from the carriageway. Work proceeded under time pressure in an effort to restore traffic flow as soon as possible.
Summer storms remain an ongoing risk
The two incidents highlighted the growing impact of summer storms in the region, which could bring powerful gusts and intense rainfall. Emergency services and authorities stressed that conditions could quickly become dangerous again while the weather remained unsettled.
The public was urged to prioritise safety, heed warnings and avoid risk areas. Officials emphasised that even brief contact with damaged power lines could be fatal, especially where storm‑hit electrical infrastructure was involved.