The first I knew about this was a few days ago when I found my 20,000 baht hotel sign and metal pole cut off at the base and cast aside by the side of the road. This sign previously stood at the entry to the soi leading from the airport approach road to my hotel.

On closer inspection, I realised that ALL the commercial signs and road furniture was being removed on both sides of the road, including the complete demolition of several small shops which were deemed to be too close to the road.

I asked the workmen (in Thai) what was going on - they ignored me...

I finally found the boss of these guys who explained that the road was being widened.

'Ah OK, I understand now' I said. 'When you've finished widening the road, will you put my hotel sign back?'

'Nope'

'So..... I paid 20,000 baht for that sign AND paid the OrBorTor tax for it to be located at this junction - and now you've cut the supporting pole off at the base and won't put it back when you've completed your road upgrade'

'Yep - that's correct'

Bastards!!

I saw today that the workmen are continuing their removals work, many shop owners standing around not looking very happy.

The story I heard Simon, was that the footpaths themselves are being cleared to facilitate pedestrian traffic.

Something similar is happening in Bangkok I believe.

There seems to be lots of roadworks all around Thalang. Even here at Ao Por, small roads are getting brand new asphalt.

There seems to be lots of roadworks all around Thalang. Even here at Ao Por, small roads are getting brand new asphalt.

End of year, budgets have to be used up.

There seems to be lots of roadworks all around Thalang. Even here at Ao Por, small roads are getting brand new asphalt.

End of year, budgets have to be used up.

Seems to me that roadworks has been going on for the most of the year. Much more work done than any previous years.

Aren't private signs on public land illegal?

The story I heard Simon, was that the footpaths themselves are being cleared to facilitate pedestrian traffic.

Possibly, but my sign wasn't obstructing the sidewalk, and nor are many of the other signs, - they have even removed signs on private land.

Aren't private signs on public land illegal?

AFAIK, they are perfectly legal if you pay the required, annual OrBorTor tax for the sign - which I did.

The story I heard Simon, was that the footpaths themselves are being cleared to facilitate pedestrian traffic.

Possibly, but my sign wasn't obstructing the sidewalk, and nor are many of the other signs, - they have even removed signs on private land.

Aren't private signs on public land illegal?

AFAIK, they are perfectly legal if you pay the required, annual OrBorTor tax for the sign - which I did.

No, signs on public land are illegal.

I really don't like those roadside adds, which are huge eyesore in many developing countries.

So, sorry Simon. No sympathy. You played the game and this time you lost.

Hopefully the junta will clear all the signs from the roadsides. I know it's not going to happen, but one can always dream.

"What 20,000 baht?"

No, signs on public land are illegal.

Ah, so when I went to my OrBorTor office before I erected the sign, gave them a copy of the dimensions and text, then filled out a form to pay an annual tax on that sign being on the public road in the location that the OrBorTor stipulated, (and the OrBorTor went and took a photo of the sign when it was in place) - that this was all actually poo, and the OrBorTor had no right at all to register hotel signs, and had no right to collect tax on those signs????

This being Thailand, I can well believe that this was all poo

Hopefully the junta will clear all the signs from the roadsides

That will make it lots of fun for all the taxi drivers who are trying to find the hotels for their passengers... (I should emphasise that this was a directions sign with arrow)

No, signs on public land are illegal.

Ah, so when I went to my OrBorTor office before I erected the sign, gave them a copy of the dimensions and text, then filled out a form to pay an annual tax on that sign being on the public road in the location that the OrBorTor stipulated, (and the OrBorTor went and took a photo of the sign when it was in place) - that this was all actually poo, and the OrBorTor had no right at all to register hotel signs, and had no right to collect tax on those signs????

This being Thailand, I can well believe that this was all poo

Hopefully the junta will clear all the signs from the roadsides

That will make it lots of fun for all the taxi drivers who are trying to find the hotels for their passengers... (I should emphasise that this was a directions sign with arrow)

Yes, would not surprise me at all.

Signs on private land are ok, as long as you pay the required taxes of course

These are official legal roadsigns which are leased/purchased from the OrBortTor

These are official legal roadsigns which are leased/purchased from the OrBortTor

OrBorTor allowing or even selling it does not make it legal. Just look at the beach land in use by businesses.

These are official legal roadsigns which are leased/purchased from the OrBortTor

Agree totally here with you Peter ,

They are classed the same as normal directional road signs , the same as Patong beach xx km and so on even though they are for private enterprises.

Did think they were only 10k a year though Simon so maybe a little extra "tax" was indeed collected by the OBT.

Did think they were only 10k a year though Simon so maybe a little extra "tax" was indeed collected by the OBT.

The sign itself and metal support pole cost about 20,000 baht to manufacture and install - the annual tax to the OrBorTor for a sign of that size was about 2,000 baht. My OP didn't say that I paid 20,000 baht to the OrBorTor

Did think they were only 10k a year though Simon so maybe a little extra "tax" was indeed collected by the OBT.

The sign itself and metal support pole cost about 20,000 baht to manufacture and install - the annual tax to the OrBorTor for a sign of that size was about 2,000 baht. My OP didn't say that I paid 20,000 baht to the OrBorTor

Apolagies

These are official legal roadsigns which are leased/purchased from the OrBortTor

A few governors ago one of them announced he would get rid of all these signs. Looks like too much money is involved, since then the number if signs has increased significantly

Even Subway has now closed on the airport road for 'reconstruction'

I think this road widening is needed. But it is going to make it harder for pedestrians to safely cross over.