Local Chief Defends ‘Aeroplane-Shaped’ Streetlights Amid Social Media Backlash

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

The mayor of Nong Prue Subdistrict in Samut Prakan province has defended the installation of solar-powered streetlights designed in the shape of aeroplanes, despite recent, renewed criticism from social media users who argue that the project is a waste of funds. The mayor insisted on 7 March, that the local community is satisfied with the initiative and that the concerns voiced online are irrelevant.

 

Adum Klinphuang, the mayor of Nong Prue Subdistrict, clarified that the project to install these aeroplane-shaped streetlights had been in the works for about four to five years. The project is part of a larger road development initiative in collaboration with Suvarnabhumi Airport, which involves the construction of a road leading to the airport that has been underway for two years.

 

The total cost of the road upgrade, which includes the installation of the aeroplane-shaped streetlights, is nearly 400 million baht. The streetlights themselves account for approximately 20 million baht of the budget. While some social media users have expressed concerns about the frequency of the streetlights and the potential waste of public funds, Mayor Adum was dismissive of the criticisms. “Those who are criticising may not be from the area. I’m not concerned because the people here are happy with the project,” he said. “As a subdistrict administrative organisation, we focus on developing our own area. If the locals are happy, that’s enough for us.”

 

The streetlights are designed to serve as a symbol of the subdistrict, which has a longstanding association with aviation. The ongoing road development project, spanning more than two kilometres, will see the installation of additional aeroplane-shaped lights. Currently, the authorities are in the process of hiring contractors to carry out the next phase of the work.

 

Moreover, the mayor revealed that there are plans for a further installation of 156 aeroplane-shaped streetlights in areas of the subdistrict, specifically in villages 2 and 3, with a project cost set at 17 million baht.

 

One local resident, Ning, aged 58, shared her thoughts on the streetlight installation. “When the aeroplane-shaped lights were put up, I felt they illuminated the area well. Normally, this place wasn’t very bright, but there were already streetlights. As for the debate about the design, I don’t have an opinion. It’s up to people’s thoughts. I think the lights are fine, though they’re a bit frequent.”

 

The ongoing development and planned expansion of the project are set to continue, with the authorities emphasising that the unique design of the streetlights will remain an integral part of the subdistrict’s identity.

 

-- 2025-03-09

 

[HappyExpat57]

Send DOGE over to investigate this.

[Tropicalevo]

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

“Those who are criticising may not be from the area. I’m not concerned because the people here are happy with the project,”

 

Translates as "I am happy with the size of the brown envelope, so sod you."

[JoePai]

Apart from the stupidity of the design, why are they place so close together ?

[mran66]

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

Apart from the stupidity of the design, why are they place so close together ?

 

If spacing is bigger, less aeroplanes. If less aeroplanes, less envelopes. 

[mran66]

"... the people here are happy with the project,”

 

People in Sub-district office certainly are happy with the amount benefits deriving from quantity of poles and aeroplanes and especially envelopes.

 

Whether the lights work or not does not matter that much though. No cut from electricity spending anyway so better spend that money to more airplanes instead 

[Peabody]

109,000 THB per light!

I guess it's OK, since the local people who are happy with the lights are 100% funding the costs out of their own pockets.  /s

[BangkokReady]

5 hours ago, mran66 said:

10 hours ago, JoePai said:

Apart from the stupidity of the design, why are they place so close together ?

 

If spacing is bigger, less aeroplanes. If less aeroplanes, less envelopes. 

 

Indeed.  The more money that is spent, the bigger the kick-backs.  🤷‍♂️

[Snackbar]

A win for the Thai male street hawker.

[Paul Henry]

The Mayor was just having a "Flight of Fantasy"

[kingstonkid]

23 hours ago, JoePai said:

Apart from the stupidity of the design, why are they place so close together ?

 

If the wings are actually solar panels and therefore savingon electricitiy then it is a good didea but i agree every other would not be a bad idea.

 

I can see the noovelty of havng themon the airport road but again maybe not so many

[hotchilli]

23 hours ago, JoePai said:

Apart from the stupidity of the design, why are they place so close together ?

In six months only half will be working?

[loong]

15 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

 

If the wings are actually solar panels and therefore savingon electricitiy then it is a good didea but i agree every other would not be a bad idea.

 

I can see the noovelty of havng themon the airport road but again maybe not so many

 

Aren't the big square panels mounted next to the airplanes solar panels?

[lordgrinz]

Of course he defends it, otherwise he would lose face, I am surprised he isn't suing for defamation. 

[kingstonkid]

28 minutes ago, loong said:

 

Aren't the big square panels mounted next to the airplanes solar panels?

oops my bad

 

[xtrnuno41]

Airplanes are pure design, doing nothing?

I would have then make it functional and put LED light in the plane. bottom

Do some solar panels on top and oila functional design lamp.

[Humpy]

Who travels at night in Thailand anyway ?😀

[CLW]

Someone probably made a fortune by selling these lights as street lights. How are they supposed to direct light to the ground? It's just a light bulb with no reflector. That's why there are so many. Anyway, not my money.... But surely worth an investigation 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Don't tell me......let me guess......the street below is lit from the flashing navigation lights.