PHUKET: An illegal electronic billboard where a Phuket City workman was electrocuted is to be pulled down, say Phuket officials.
Wai Hayoung, 32, was killed when he touched a power line while on top of the large billboard near the Central Festival intersection in Phuket City on September 28.
''The billboard is illegal,'' a Phuket City official who did not wish to give his name told Phuketwan yesterday. ''His death could have been avoided.''
It has been reported that Arrow Media advertising company has paid 100,000 baht to the man's family as compensation. However, Arrow Media denies being the billboard's owner.
The Phuket City spokesman said that at least one letter, asking the owners of the billboard to pull down the illegal structure, had been sent before the man's death.
Authorities say they are in a difficult situation with illegal billboards erected on the verges of public roads.
''We can pull them down but we can also be sued for the damage,'' the spokesman said.
The billboard, however, is destined to be pulled down sometime after next Monday when work begins on the underpass at the busy Central Festival.
Monday is quite a red-letter day for Phuket with construction also due to begin that day on the Phuket International Airport expansion.
Wai Hayoung, 32, was killed when he touched a power line while on top of the large billboard near the Central Festival intersection in Phuket City on September 28.
''The billboard is illegal,'' a Phuket City official who did not wish to give his name told Phuketwan yesterday. ''His death could have been avoided.''
It has been reported that Arrow Media advertising company has paid 100,000 baht to the man's family as compensation. However, Arrow Media denies being the billboard's owner.
The Phuket City spokesman said that at least one letter, asking the owners of the billboard to pull down the illegal structure, had been sent before the man's death.
Authorities say they are in a difficult situation with illegal billboards erected on the verges of public roads.
''We can pull them down but we can also be sued for the damage,'' the spokesman said.
The billboard, however, is destined to be pulled down sometime after next Monday when work begins on the underpass at the busy Central Festival.
Monday is quite a red-letter day for Phuket with construction also due to begin that day on the Phuket International Airport expansion.
I am 100% positive there is no way this man could have died touching the power cable above. The power cables are covered in rubber sleeving for a reason. The ones which are not, are the 250k volt lines that are about 10m high.
This was a preventable death and a cover up.
Posted by Tbs on October 11, 2012 08:28
Editor Comment:
We've read that the power cables are not covered at that height because it would be an additional cost. Public deaths on the tops of billboards are difficult to ''cover up.''