Over 1,000 billboards in Thailand pose safety risks in rainy season
More than 1,000 large outdoor advertising signboards across the country were found to have been erected illegally and could pose threats to public safety during rainstorms, an Interior Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
Traisuree Taisaranakul, who also doubles as secretary to the interior minister, said the ministry’s Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning was working with provincial governors in examining large billboards throughout the country.
She said legal action would be taken against owners or hosts of the billboards that were found to be erected illegally or were not stable.
“Large advertising billboards could cause accidents if they collapse in strong winds. These signboards may have been erected illegally, may be old and damaged, or not strong enough,” the spokesperson said.
Of the total 12,347 large billboards registered nationwide, 3,600 were required to be checked by authorities every three years, but only a little over 2,400 have been examined, she said, citing the department’s data.
“The permits for more than 1,000 of the large billboards have not been renewed after their expiry,” said the spokesperson.
She said the department’s director-general had instructed provincial public works chiefs to work with provincial governors in enforcing the law in the cases of problematic billboards.
Large billboards are required to comply with a ministerial order on building control. Any billboard found to be constructed violating the law would be required to be rectified, and a permit is required to erect a large outdoor sign board. Any billboard found to be too old or damaged to be safe will have to be repaired.
The owners or hosts of those problematic billboards who fail to follow orders for their repair or demolition risk legal action by relevant authorities.
