Sitthiporn Somkidsan Clarifies Bangkok’s Billion-Baht Budget for CCTV and Traffic Management

The bustling cityscape of Bangkok, hailed for its vibrant streets and rich cultural history, recently found itself at the center of a public debate, ignited by a fiery post from the “Strong Anti-Corruption Thailand Club” Facebook page. Allegations were swirling like a Bangkok tuk-tuk amidst traffic, claiming inflated procurement prices and delays in some critical projects. But fear not, for the valiant Sitthiporn Somkidsan, director of the Department of Traffic and Transport (DTT), emerged from the shadows to dispel these rumors and set the record straight.

Sitthiporn tackled these criticisms head-on, debunking myths with a meticulous explanation of the spending and procurement processes. The 2.3 billion baht budget set for 2023 to 2025 was like a magician’s top hat – filled with secrets neatly categorized into two primary areas.

With a flourish, he unveiled the key numbers that hold Bangkok together, like metaphorical but vital stitches in the city’s urban fabric. These stitches come in the form of 65,015 CCTV cameras across 16,623 locations, each one a silent guardian playing a vital role in traffic management and crime prevention. The omnipresent eyes not only deter malfeasance but also bolster the city’s safety profile, turning it into an alluring destination for global travellers.

The cameras, much like an army of well-trained scouts, dutifully gather image data. It’s a treasure trove relied upon for criminal investigations, traffic snafus, and even in resolving those pesky lost property cases. From October 2023 to September 2024, a staggering 44,000 requests were logged, with demand rising like Bangkok’s famed skyscrapers.

The lion’s share of the budget—over 80%, approximating to a cool 800 million baht annually—dances under the guise of operating expenses. This covers everything from the fine-tuning of the cameras to the maintenance of their nerve centers, like data management and the communication infrastructure. Contractual obligations make it clear: contractors bear full accountability for any technical hiccup.

The remainder of the budget finds life as investment costs, ready to jump into action for new cameras or to replace the rare lemon among the batch. By George, everything dances to the strict tune of the Public Procurement and Supplies Management Act B.E. 2560 (2017). A bit of exciting bureaucracy, if you will.

Over a cup of digital tea (or coffee, take your pick), Sitthiporn explained how e-bidding keeps things fair and square, with selective procurement reserved only for the trickiest of scenarios. The prices for camera maintenance and newcomers are mapped out by central reference prices, curated like fine wine by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.

Sitthiporn smoothly assured the citizens that the BMA dots every “i” and crosses every “t” of Section 4 of the 2017 Public Procurement Act when setting these prices, gathering wisdom from sources like a modern-day oracle. Calculations from the Central Price Committee, snapshots from the Comptroller General’s Department, budget musings from the Bureau of the Budget, other grabs from market surveys, and government practices knit together the delicate tapestry.

In a striking finale, he affirmed that projects, much like the best stage plays, followed the schedule to a T, with only minor encores due to unpredictable setbacks.

Sitthiporn laid out an exciting law enforcement tidbit—the cameras moonlight as vigilant eyes, spotting traffic violators in select arenas. Their data syncs with the Traffic Police Division, birthing electronic tickets with the grace of a swan. And that’s not all! When motorbikes trespass where they’re not welcome, the cameras act as the squeaky wheel, notifying district offices to rev those enforcement engines, all under the purview of the Maintenance of Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country Act B.E. 2535 (1992).

For crime prevention, they’re like Hobbits, journeying far and wide to relay data to police and anti-narcotics communities, forming an essential part of their watchful arsenal. Continuous data coordination keeps everybody on high alert, ensuring that BMA camera-linked data is just a click away from enhancing operational prowess.

The DTT’s collaboration with a private company means the entire system runs like clockwork, allowing the cameras of the future, operational by February 2026, to automatically report any hiccups, adjust angles, and whip nature aside to ensure seamless surveillance.

With a nod to the future, Sitthiporn encapsulated the conversation, reassuring all that the funds invested in these electronic guardians are as transparent as a Bangkok sunrise, intent on ensuring public safety and supporting law enforcement agencies at every twist and turn.