Pattaya: Less than half of CCTV cameras actually work - City Hall prepares 200 million budget and new charter

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

Pattaya's mayor Sontaya Kunplome has admitted that only 43.8% of the city's CCTV cameras work.

 

Since 2008 various administrations have thrown hundreds of millions of baht at CCTV installing 2,418 cameras. 

 

Many were only designed for seven years of use and need replacing. 

 

The pressure is on for the security of locals and visitors - when they eventually return - as part of the Eastern Economic Corridor plans.

 

Thai media reported that arguments over CCTV provision had led to several resignations and the formation of a new council. 

 

Now it has been decided that 200 million baht will be spent over the next three years to upgrade and repair CCTV provision. 

 

This will be under a rental scheme as part of a 36 month charter agreement with the private sector that will require that 95% of cameras are operational.

 

In 2022 30 million will be spent out of City Hall budgets increasing to 80 million in 2023 and 90 million baht in 2024. 

 

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[Bkk Brian]

The other half mysteriously stop working whenever evidence of a crime is needed

[bbko]

I wish they could use the cameras to catch traffic violations like they do around Bangkok motorways. Set them up at major intersections and snap photos of red light runners, speedsters, helmet violators, etc,  then those things would pay for themselves.

[petermik]

200 million baht budget to be found for CCTV cameras?...pity the budget cannot be used to feed and house the homeless forced to sleep rough throughout the city.

[johng]

13 minutes ago, petermik said:

200 million baht budget to be found for CCTV cameras?.

We hear this every few years and every few years later the cameras are non functional endlessly..yes spend the money on homeless instead and a few millions to clearing up the stray dogs too  another endless problem.

 

28 minutes ago, bbko said:

I wish they could use the cameras to catch traffic violations like they do around Bangkok motorways

They have  such cameras on  a few of the major roads  already,  I don't know if they still work and have not heard/read about them producing any traffic violation prosecutions  mostly seem to be used to track other sorts of "crime" and accidents.

[Emdog]

Is there any budget for hiring people to watch the feeds from the cameras? And then do something, perhaps call the police...? (I now realize how foolish that sounds... as if they'd do anything...).

 

 

[ezzra]

10 minutes ago, johng said:

200 million baht budget to be found for CCTV cameras

This is what happens when you seat on public purse...and from personal experience, nothing done here without the "connected" people get their commissions and fees...

[RafPinto]

Good way to make some backhanders.

 

To fix the not-working cameras: Cost 156,000baht

Assumed cost: 200 Million Baht

 

Difference of 198,844.000Baht administration charge.

[Will B Good]

As this urgent I guess there no need to put contracts out to tender...........now where have a seen that done?

[jacko45k]

I just got that Deja-vu feeling.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Since 2008 various administrations have thrown hundreds of millions of baht at CCTV installing 2,418 cameras. 

 

Many were only designed for seven years of use and need replacing. 

A bit like the beach, a short term life, how convenient.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

The other half mysteriously stop working whenever evidence of a crime is needed

On the contrary they work perfectly... budget-wise.

[Almer]

Organise with a cctv central centre and they will pay for themselves over and over, a real cash cow if done properly and could keep police on there toes also, ah thats ruined the plan.

[chilli42]

6 hours ago, petermik said:

200 million baht budget to be found for CCTV cameras?...pity the budget cannot be used to feed and house the homeless forced to sleep rough throughout the city.

A hefty percent of that will find its way into the pockets of the usual crowd.

[newnative]

I seem to remember this same news story from a number of years ago.  

[Dont confuse me]

Why buy equipment that's only good for 7 years? 

Sorry wasn't thinking, brown envelope fund!

[mrfill]

6 hours ago, RafPinto said:

Good way to make some backhanders.

 

To fix the not-working cameras: Cost 156,000baht

Assumed cost: 200 Million Baht

 

Difference of 198,844.000Baht administration charge.

I see you managed to trouser a cool million for yourself there.....  ????

[NE1]

I hope some of them are placed inside certain offices in city hall , that might save some money.....

[Bangkok Barry]

7 hours ago, bbko said:

I wish they could use the cameras to catch traffic violations like they do around Bangkok motorways. Set them up at major intersections and snap photos of red light runners, speedsters, helmet violators, etc,  then those things would pay for themselves.

No good setting up cameras if nobody monitors them, like they do in the real world.

[Gandtee]

7 hours ago, petermik said:

200 million baht budget to be found for CCTV cameras?...pity the budget cannot be used to feed and house the homeless forced to sleep rough throughout the city.

'Let them eat cake.'????

[ace]

7 years for an outdoor CCTV in Pattaya climate is quite reasonable

[JustAnotherHun]

City Hall people do have cousins.

One is a sand dealer, another one sells CCTV cams. Both doing their business on a yearly basis.

[Andycoops]

This isn't news.

It's been the case nationwide for years.

Thais and technology don't mix.

[ben2talk]

This brings to mind the early days with internet shops. Huge investment on PC's and cheap furniture during the opening, then let them run down to scrap - then close the shop.

 

There is no interest to keep them going by replacing old/malfunctioning units on a regular basis...

 

Best leave it until the system collapses and then grab another 20 million to do it all again.

 

Note also that when they 'throw 20 million at cameras' only 5 million will stick, the rest will flutter away and fall on more fertile ground.

 

As for the homeless - give them a fish and they'll eat for a day, give us a camera and we'll collect 1000 per day to eat lobster. Your choice.

 

No news here - move along.

[ben2talk]

21 hours ago, johng said:

They have  such cameras on  a few of the major roads  already,  I don't know if they still work and have not heard/read about them producing any traffic violation prosecutions  mostly seem to be used to track other sorts of "crime" and accidents.

We get regular fines through the post - cameras are generally set up to catch people out crossing a solid line to take a turn to save 15km from their journey home. My brother-in-law hasn't had a speeding ticket for 6 years now, but still he gets caught out by those stupid lane cameras.

 

Meanwhile, when we go driving, we are beset with the usual moronic behaviour which goes un-monitored, especially when it's red plate Mercs/BMW's or vans with official paint jobs.