CCTV cameras near missing plaque removed for ‘maintenance’: BMA
All 11 CCTV cameras installed on traffic light poles in front of the Royal Plaza, where the historical plaque marking the Siamese Revolution mysteriously disappeared recently, had been removed for maintenance beginning on March 31, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
CCTV footage, if it were available, could provide evidence regarding what happened to the 81-year-old plaque, which was first discovered to have been replaced by a new plaque last Friday. No party has taken responsibility for the replacement.
Bangkok governor secretary Yutthapan Meechai said the cameras belonged to the BMA’s Traffic and Transportation Department, which was wholly responsible for the CCTV’s removal.
But the department was not immediately available to comment as a group of citizens filed a petition with the BMA at Bangkok City Hall asking for access to footage from the CCTVs installed around the Royal Plaza.
Apisit Sapnapapan, who joined the group in the morning of April 19, said the replacement might have taken place sometime between April 2 and 8, given oral and photo evidence he had observed.
However, in the absence of footage during the relevant period, Apisit said he doubted that his fact-finding attempt would be successful.