Copper Earth Cables Stolen From Disaster Alert Stations

[ollyrosee]

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Eight disaster-alert stations plundered

Thieves stole the copper cable from this lightning rod (circled) โ€“ and seven others like it around the island.#

Thieves stole the copper cable from this lightning rod (circled) – and seven others like it around the island.

PHUKET: Thieves have stolen copper cable from lightning rods at eight of the island’s 11 emergency radio network repeater stations, forcing the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) to spend some 2.7 million baht on replacement and repairs.

News of the vandalism was reported by OrBorJor Vice-President Suthin Uthaithamrong at the January 30 meeting of provincial office chiefs at the Thavorn Grand Plaza Hotel.

K. Suthin explained to the Gazette that to steal the copper, thieves had broken into padlocked enclosures around eight towers, all in remote high-elevation locations.

He listed the sites as: Laem Phromthep, Sapam, Tah Chat Chai, Nai Thon, two sites in the Nakkerd Hills, one in front of Veerastree Anusorn School in Thalang and one in front of Kamala Police Station.

The lightning rods are used to protect repeater stations of the OrBorJor’s emergency radio network, which was built after the tsunami at a cost of more than 8 million baht to allow communication in the event of another disaster that causes mobile phone networks to fail.

The network is the brainchild of OrBorJor President Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutr, who after the tsunami found herself unable to coordinate emergency response efforts because the mobile phone system she used was jammed.

The repeater stations form a ring around the island that allows users, including members of the OrBorJor beach guard and the Tourist Rescue Center in Chalong, to communicate by walkie-talkie.

The network’s base station is located on a hilltop in the Nakkerd Hills, near the site of the Mingmongkol Buddha statue being built, K. Suthin said.

The network covers the entire island and emits signals that can be picked up as far away as parts of Krabi, he said.

The thefts did not disable the repeater stations, but hindered their effectiveness during electrical storms and left them vulnerable to lightning strikes that could cause even greater damage, K. Suthin added.

The damages have already been repaired at all locations, at a cost of about 50,000 baht each, out of the OrBorJor’s emergency fund, he said.

The first thefts were reported in mid-2006, with three thefts – in Kamala, Sapam and the Nakkerd Hills – carried out over the New Year holiday period.

Padlocked enclosures with chain-link fencing 2.5-meters tall had not deterred the thieves, who left behind some of the cutting equipment they used at some sites, he said.

K. Suthin blamed secondhand shops that deal in stolen goods for creating a market for thieves. He said good-quality copper of the type stolen could fetch up to 1,000 baht per kilo at a scrap yard.

In order to prevent future thefts, more frequent checks will be made at all enclosures and stronger locks will be used, K. Suthin said.

In response to K. Suthin’s report, Vice-Governor Vorapoj Rattasima, who chaired the meeting in place of Governor Niran Kalayanimit, instructed Phuket’s three District Chiefs to crack down on secondhand shops that receive stolen goods

Bantoon Thongtan, Head of the Phuket Attorney’s Office, told the meeting that he will recommend prison terms, not just fines, in cases of theft of government property – especially in cases where public safety is jeopardized.

http://www.phuketgazette.com/news/index.asp?id=5492

[londonthai]

spend some 2.7 million baht on replacement and repairs.

...and one in front of Kamala Police Station.

repaired at all locations, at a cost of about 50,000 baht each, out of the OrBorJor’s emergency fund, he said.

somethink doesn't add up here

they suppose to spend 8 x 50k on repairs and 2.3 mln on a stronger padlocks. Very strong ones.

[PhilHarries]

He listed the sites as: Laem Phromthep, Sapam, Tah Chat Chai, Nai Thon, two sites in the Nakkerd Hills, one in front of Veerastree Anusorn School in Thalang and one in front of Kamala Police Station.

Good to see that the BiB are fully alert.

Or could it be that the BiB were..............invo.......lv.............ed?

[Galong]

So why didn't they spring for another few thousand baht and buy surveilance cameras? they could do that now to prevent future robberies.

Come on PhilHarries, the BiB were probably sleeping. It's a tough job catching criminals. You gotta be rested up for all the excitment.

[NBT TV Phuket]

Mini-video: Bronze wires for radio towers were stolen; if found both buyers & sellers will be punished

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=203591

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable TV channel 1, Friday 2 February 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com { Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied , but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket}

The bronze wires were stolen from the five radio towers which belong to the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation or PPAO and the theft might lead to damage to the towers from lightening strikes. The bronze wire theft activities were previously reported and led to damages of public utilities. The thieves usually sell the stolen material to local shops. Phuket Provincial Prosecutor Bantoon Tongtan, said that tough penalties will be imposed against thieves to reduce and prevent more acts against the law. He explains that in the law suit the prosecution office will state the act caused damage to the nation’s economy and social order. On the buyers’ side, the chief prosecutor said the authority had asked for cooperation not to buy such material from the thieves, but not much cooperation was previously received. He then stressed that they will also face tough prosecution if the buyers still disobey the rules.

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Phuket authority re-regulates local second-hand or recycling shops

207 licensed second-hand or recycling shop owners in Phuket attended a seminar on laws and regulations that are related to the second - hand recycle business as well as criminal acts against the law. This followed the recent increase in the number of bronze wires and public utilities being stolen from radio towers which caused damage to government property and some stolen parts were then sold to the second - hand recycle shops. The authority then came up with measures to eradicate the problem.

The Phuket governor Nirand Kalayanamit stressed the need for cooperation from the shop owners to carefully check second hand materials sold to them to prevent them being charged for purchasing stolen objects.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable TV channel 1, Wednesday 7 February 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com { Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied , but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket}

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