Violent storms knock power poles across provinces

Rainy season is expected to officially begin by mid‑May

PUBLISHED : 5 May 2026 at 12:57

WRITER: Online Reporters

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Heavy storms on Monday evening toppled numerous power poles across upper Thailand, resulting in one fatality, several injuries, property damage and widespread blackouts.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned at 5am Tuesday that the upper part of the country is expected to face more thunderstorms and gusty winds over the next 24 hours, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned on Tuesday.

In Chai Nat province, a 74-year-old woman was killed when about 30 power poles collapsed on Phahon Yothin Road during a thunderstorm in Mueang district at about 8.45pm, Muang Chai Nat police said. The woman, who was riding a motorcycle home from adjoining Takhli district in Nakhon Sawan province to Chai Nat, was found dead beneath the fallen poles about two to three kilometres from her home, media reported.

Collapsed power poles on Phahon Yothin Road in Muang district of Chai Nat on Monday night. (Photo: Provincial Electricity Authority)

In Nakhon Pathom, three residents of Sam Phran district were injured after more than 10 power poles fell onto houses, shops and vehicles on Phutthamonthon Sai 5 Road in tambon Bang Kratuek at about 6pm, Pho Kaew police said. Traffic on the road was partly closed, and electricity was cut temporarily to allow officials to remove the high‑voltage poles. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

In Suphan Buri, a violent storm reportedly brought down about 100 poles in tambon Ban Pho of Muang district. No injuries were reported, but the mass collapse blocked traffic on the Suphan Buri–Don Chedi route and left several villages without power overnight, according to Sarote Chamchoi, manager of the Suphan Buri Provincial Electricity Authority.

The TMD advised people in upper Thailand to remain cautious as a cold air mass from China now covers the Northeast and the South China Sea.

The department also said increased thunderstorms are expected in southern Thailand between Wednesday and Saturday. The rainy season is likely to begin officially by mid‑May while daytime temperatures remain hot to very hot, the weather forecaster added.

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- KEYWORDS

- Thai meteorological department

- Thailand weather forecast

- Summer storms thailand

- Chai nat storm

- Power pole collapse

- Thailand thunderstorm warning

- Upper thailand weather