The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) is a Thai state enterprise under the Ministry of Interior. It was established on 1 August 1958 by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority Act 1958 (BE 2501).[1] Its governor is Mr Somchai Roadrungwasinkul.[2]
History
The first recorded use of electricity in Thailand was the lighting of the Chakri Maha Prasat Hall of the Grand Palace on the occasion of the birthday of King Chulalongkorn on 20 September 1884. The king took a great interest in electricity, particularly its potential for street lighting.[3] In 1897, Luang Pinitjakrapan and Leo Nadee established the Bangkok Electric Light Syndicate to generate and distribute electricity to the citizens of Bangkok. It was later sold as concession to Siam Electricity Co. Ltd., a Danish company led by Aage Westenholz which at the time also operated the trams. Its main power plant was located at Wat Liap near the Memorial Bridge and thus Wat Liap Power Plant became Thailand's first power plant.
A succession of power companies with concomitant name changes followed. Siam Electricity Company Limited