When Siam changed its name to Thailand in 1939, so was the company renamed to Thai Electric Corporation Limited. During World War II, when Thailand allied with Japan, Bangkok was subject to Allied bombing raids, and the two power plants were bombed and disabled in April 1945, leaving the city in darkness. Wat Liap Power Plant was brought back online after two months, and continued to operate under the company until the end of 1949, when its concession expired. The operations were taken over by Bangkok Electric Works, which was set up as a state enterprise in 1950.