BANGKOK, 6 May 2011 – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has instructed related units to brace for summer thunderstorms during this period and to take down large billboards across the city.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornthep Techapaiboon chaired a meeting with all relevant units of the BMA to draw up measures to cope with summer thunderstorms, which are likely during this time. Authorities were tasked with inspecting all advertisement billboards near communities to be certain that they are in good condition and firm enough to resist strong gusts of wind.
The Deputy Governor reported that at the moment there were 131 illegal signboards throughout the capital and thus assigned all district offices and the Public Works Department of the BMA to dismantle them at haste. Legal actions will also be taken against the owners of the unauthorized signs.
As for a number of structures currently under construction, authorities will also examine their building processes to ensure that they comply with the regulations. The project owners and engineers will be obliged to check the strength of the scaffolding as well as the efficiency of the drainage system.
In preparation for potential floods in the city, the Department of Drainage and Sewerage and related agencies have been ordered to be ready in all aspects, from personnel to equipment, 24 hours a day.
