Massive power failure strikes southern Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) - A massive power failure has affected more than eight million people in Thailand's 14 southern provinces, including popular tourist areas such as Koh Samui and Phuket, in one of the country's biggest blackouts in recent memory.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand official Thatri Rewcharoen said the blackout was triggered on Tuesday evening by the failure of the main high voltage transmission line connecting the south to the central region.

He said power was restored in some areas within about an hour, but it was expected to take at least three hours for a full recovery.

Key installations such as airports and hospitals were reported to be running on emergency back-up electricity supplies.