BMA denies staff cruelty
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has come under fire for reportedly asking its staff to touch CCTV poles with their bare hands to test whether there is an electrical fault.
BMA Traffic and Transportation Department director Thaweesak Lertpraphan said officials have been inspecting more than 10,000 CCTV poles around Bangkok, according to a report in Krungthep Thurakit.
He said the testing method is to have officials stand bare footed and touch the pole with their hands.
No short circuits have turned up in inspections yet.
Safety checks on security cameras across Bangkok were ordered by Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra after a man was found dead by electrocution near a CCTV pole owned by City Hall.
Many people, however, are appalled by the BMA’s use of guinea pigs to test whether a pole is likely to carry an electrical charge.
“Is that a test or an attempt to take their lives?” one user asked.
“Your officials are human beings with family. Why would you put their life on the line for such a simple test? Can’t you just buy some tools?’’ another named Sakkawa said on Kapook.com which also posted the report.
The website Drama-addict posted an image showing a clamp meter selling online for less than 1,500 baht.
“Is that the cost of a life of a BMA staff member?’’ a website run by the former director of Koh Lanta Hospital asked.
Many people said, however, that a clamp meter can’t be used to test electrical faults. A simple screwdriver or test lamp would do a better job.
The website suggested that if the BMA does not have the meters, it should consider buying some as the lives of their staff are more valuable.
Many people said BMA directors and even the governor himself should be willing to put themselves to the electrocution test first if they are going to ask their officials to do so.
In a news report about the CCTV pole security check, Mr Thaweesak said the inspections should be completed in two weeks. He also insisted all equipment used for the CCTV cameras is up to standard and has a life span of five to 20 years.
In a later report on M Thai yesterday, Mr Thaweesak denied instructing BMA staff to test for short circuits by removing their shoes and touching the pole with their hands.
He said City Hall relies on standard meters to check for electrical charges. He said photos showing BMA officials hugging CCTV poles were taken by the staff themselves and not meant to show them at work. is appropriate behaviour at a wedding and a political rally,” Mr Jatuporn said.
He said offered Mr Suthep a normal greeting when he met the former Democrat Party secretary-general. He also asked how people in the South are suffering because of the drop in rubber prices.
“It was a conversation for good manners at a banquet. There was nothing more to it,’’ Mr Jatuporn said.