Bangkok deputy governor defends spending on New Year illumination

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Bangkok deputy governor defends spending on New Year illumination



BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's spending on the 39-million-baht “Bangkok Light of Happiness” New Year illumination event is transparent and open to scrutiny by the Office of the Auditor General.

Bangkok deputy governor Amorn Kijchawengkul said this on Wednesday in a press conference following criticisms from netizens that the money should be spent for other purposes such as installing more lights in areas prone to crimes. The critics also said this might be plagued with irregularities.

He said the light extravaganza is being held from today until Jan 30 from 6pm-midnight with an intention of promoting tourism at Lan Khon Muang, the square in front of City Hall’s offices on Din So Road.

According to Mr Amorn, the BMA had set aside about 40 million baht from its 300-million-baht central fund for this purpose because the BMA’s Culture, Sport and Tourism Department was allocated with only 50 million baht this year, down from the usual allocation of about 200 million baht.

He said the selection of a private company to organise this event was made through a bidding process. Curio Tour and Travel Co was the bid winner with an offer of 39.6 million baht.

The event is expected to draw about 400,000 spectators – an average of 10,000 a day. Each of them is expected to spend about 100 baht.

This could generate an economic value of about 100 million baht, said Mr Amorn.

Each of the spectators is expected to take about 20 pictures, making a total of about 8 million, some of which will be spread on the social media worldwide.

A contest of photos taken during the event will also be held. The winner will be awarded with 100,000 baht, the first runner up 50,000 baht and second runner-up 20,000 baht.

The prize money will be from the pocket of Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Mr Amorn said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/bangkok-deputy-governor-defends-spending-on-new-year-illumination


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-31

[thesetat2013]

It would be interesting to see who owns Curio Your and Travel co and if they have family working with the people who approved their winning the bidding. This has been a big source of corruption in the gov for a very long time.

[aussiesteve63]

It would be interesting to see who owns Curio Your and Travel co and if they have family working with the people who approved their winning the bidding. This has been a big source of corruption in the gov for a very long time.

Yes you wash my back and i will wash yours springs to mind. And i doubt the Guvnor will be paying anything out of his own pocket, he would of been handed a brown paper bag to take care of that

[Bob12345]

I cannot trust the deputy governor that the bidding was done fairly based on his word alone.

Only when he investigates himself and finds no irregulaties then i know for sure nothing wrong was done!

[JAG]

I wish we could stop referring to brown envelopes.

With the amount of cash being passed around these days they must be using brown cardboard boxes!

[graemeaylward]

Disgraceful amount of money! And how many homeless are there in Bangkok? How much has been used for their welfare? Or for any other charitable work? I am all in favour of people enjoying themselves to celebrate the New Year, but in these days of fiscal hardship for many, surely it could be done cheaper!

[graemeaylward]

"The event is expected to draw about 400,000 spectators – an average of 10,000 a day. Each of them is expected to spend about 100 baht.

This could generate an economic value of about 100 million baht, said Mr Amorn."

Maths was never my strong point so please correct me if I am wrong. The event lasts for 40 days? (400,000 spectators at 10,000 a day) Each spectator expected to spend 100 baht. total value 100 million baht!? When I was at school 400,000 multiplied by 100 was 40 million! So where is the other 60 million baht coming from? That is why I never believe Thai figures, they make no sense at all!