Roadside Billboards Banned from Now On, Says Phuket Governor
By Prasit Tarnsirisin Tuesday, November 25, 2014
PHUKET: Governor Nisit Jansomwong announced yesterday that roadside billboards are banned on Phuket from now on - even those that carry his image.
All billboards on the roadside are outlawed, and it was fortunate that the billboards promoting the Asian Beach Games 2014 that lined roadsides in vast numbers have disappeared.
Governor Nisit told the meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall that it was the explicit edict of the National Council for Peace and Order for the roadside billboards to be banned.
Highways department Director Samak Leardwonghat said he was pleased to hear it had been declared as a national policy.
''In the past, my staff has worked Monday to Friday removing billboards only to find replacements put out over the weekend,'' he said.
The billboards have often been used in the past by candidates during local elections. There are no elections scheduled.
On Phuket, most of the abuses are perpetrated by real estate companies.
Much larger billboards on private land are also destroying the beauty of Phuket.
Some of the advertisers would not tolerate billboards near the entrance to their properties but are content to ruin the outlook on the approach to Phuket from the airport.
Phuketwan was the only English-language news outlet with a reporter at yesterday's important meeting.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Whilst we are improving things for Phuket can he also outlaw charging to use toilets especially on the beach. I have never seen this in any other country so many tourists walk along the beach needing to go to the toilet only to get there and find they have to pay 5 or 10 Baht and then have to walk back to get some money and return to the toilet. This must leave a terrible impression with many tourists of how money grabbing Phuket is. Tourists pay billions of Baht into the economy and are then insulted by being ask to pay for the toilet.
Posted by
Feisty Farang
on
November 25, 2014 11:24
I don't understand how such mega structures that big companies have paid to the Orbortors the sign tax are going to be refunded? I mean these signs cost a fortune!
Posted by
Syd
on
November 25, 2014 11:29
Editor Comment:
Nothing is happening to the ones on private land, only on public land.
does this mean they are banned even on private land? is it likely that patong hill will be cleaned and free from all this... we can only hope so...
Posted by
frog
on
November 25, 2014 11:33
Editor Comment:
Only the small illegal roadside billboards can be cleared.
Does this mean all the existing ones will be removed ? Was there any timescale?
Having seen a new one being erected last night on Patong hill (I can't think of a better place to distract drivers) - is this message being sent out to those who install them ?
Excellent news !
Posted by
Amazing Thailand
on
November 25, 2014 11:44
Editor Comment:
Only roadside billboards are going, not those on private land.
Fantastic decision Governor, also ban the Jet-ski's , and the last week of November 2014 will carry your name for ever and never to be forgotten, great.
Posted by
Chris Jongerius
on
November 25, 2014 11:46
Somebody has to paid to clean them! In the Uk we all had to spend a penny, to go to the toilet! OOps showing my age!
Great news about the Billboards, now for the Electric wires to go under ground!
Posted by
Cookie
on
November 25, 2014 12:18
#Feisty Farang
Why should toilets be free ?
It costs money to service and maintain them. I travel the world and I can tell you now, many countries charge for the use of these facilities, as standard. Would you like the list?
Seems you haven't done your homework. According to historical records, the Romans were the first to invent the pay toilet system.
Before ranting and raving, first engage the brain cells.
Posted by
reader
on
November 25, 2014 12:34
@feisty Farang; In many europeans, it is very common to pay for toilet use. And it's a lot more than 5 or 10 baht. Sometimes they charge 50 eurocent, which is more than 20 baht.By the way, am i doing something wrong here to post comments, because i never see them?
Posted by
Carl
on
November 25, 2014 13:03
Editor Comment:
If you want your comments published, best stick to the topic of the article and add value.
''seems like there are a lot of people in this forum jealous of thais that want to make money'' really doesn't add value.
"Only the small illegal roadside billboards can be cleared"
What about the large illegal roadside billboards?
Posted by
phonus
on
November 25, 2014 13:03
Editor Comment:
Anything on public land by the roadside is banned. Private land is different and the Governor has no power to act. The article makes that distinction.
Feisty Farang - more like 20 baht for farang in Karon. 5 baht for Thais. Terrible impression indeed! Better to go to back of the toilets and find a tree like some Thais do.
Posted by
BigP
on
November 25, 2014 13:05
Billboards have 1 main function. Get ATTENTION. This includes the drivers. This is against all principles from road safety. Laws should prevent any distraction (advertising) when Road safety is invloved. As long this is not the fact. Judges should see, judge, convict and condem! Any damage, injury or death as "Casual relationship". And punish anyone involved as being responsible and financial liable. The death ones will not be able to lift a finger to the bill-board (owner/advertiser/license-giver), but all the others will. Stop Greed.Governor Nisit Jansomwong. I really hope you succeed. THe signs are not only damaging phuket beauty. But also dangerous by their appealing factor or ill choose location. The block drivers views.
Posted by
phuketgreed
on
November 25, 2014 13:42
The ones leaving HKT at the light are ridiculous. Advertising estates, hotels, etc all the way down in Chalong and Rawai! Easy money for somebody.
Posted by
GiantFan
on
November 25, 2014 14:34
Fantastic decision. Well done to all concerned. Phuket was and is drowning in advertising, even those spruiking better lifestyles.
Posted by
Mike
on
November 25, 2014 14:54
This actual ban will make absolutely no difference to the landscape. The majority of signs are already on private land.
Posted by
Phuket Saviour
on
November 25, 2014 17:02
Hi Feisty - when I lived in S. America in the eighties it cost the equivalent of at least 50 baht to even get on the beach. Let's get real, should we? Complaining about a five-baht charge for toilets is like wondering why you pay the gardener.
Posted by
Sam Wilko
on
November 25, 2014 18:06
Public bus stations in Glasgow charge 30 pence (approx 15 baht) for toilet facilities; railway stations 40 pence (approx 20 baht). So long as they are clean & efficient nobody complains.
If the resorts want to take care their valued customers, they could warn them & if feeling really benevolent, give them a bag of 5 bahts to cover the charge.
I would like to see showers or foot baths provided at all beaches as per Surin - that would be useful. Even a simple tap with a hose would do.
Posted by
Logic
on
November 25, 2014 21:45
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Whilst we are improving things for Phuket can he also outlaw charging to use toilets especially on the beach. I have never seen this in any other country so many tourists walk along the beach needing to go to the toilet only to get there and find they have to pay 5 or 10 Baht and then have to walk back to get some money and return to the toilet. This must leave a terrible impression with many tourists of how money grabbing Phuket is. Tourists pay billions of Baht into the economy and are then insulted by being ask to pay for the toilet.
Posted by Feisty Farang on November 25, 2014 11:24