A GROUP of Phuket residents are upset over a new series of high-technology advertising signs that have sprung up along routes in the centre of the island.

The signs rotate in boxes at set distances along roads between Phuket City and Patong and are lit at night.

Residents want the signs taken down and have asked the Mayor of the Kathu local tessaban council, Chaianan Suttikul, to ''make their new year happy'' by removing them.

''This is a road frequently used by tourists,'' said one local. ''Why wasn't the road made more beautiful, the way the governor is making Thepkasattri Road more beautiful?

''Instead we have this horrible advertising. Why couldn't they plant flowers? Instead, extra electricity is being wasted.''

Locals say they will knock down the signs themselves if no action is taken.

The tessaban is believed to be being paid a fee for the signs.

Unsightly billboards, once the cause of complaints along these roads, have given way to the neat new-technology boxes along median strips.

Nikita Derkach of ThaiRus Development told Phuketwan that it was unfortunate the residents had not waited to see the new signs in action.

''We plan to promote local culture and festivals on the island,'' he said.

''The lighboxes use very little power, and they are an indication that Phuket is a more sophisticated place these days.

''We could have taken the idea to another province, but we chose Phuket.''

ThaiRus has been instrumental in promoting links with Thailand in Vladivostok, Mr Derkach's home city, opening a Thai cultural centre there and flying Thailand's flag by representing Phuket in dragonboat races there.

ThaiRus had also set up an exchange program with students from five universities already involved in the project.

He said that 43 of the rotating lightboxes had been especially constructed for the median strips in central Phuket, and that there was plenty of room left for flowers.

More lightboxes are due to go up in Phuket City, he said.

ThaiRus can be contacted on 076 202271 or e: real-estate@tr-d.ru