BMA admits to fake security cameras

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BMA admits to fake security cameras

Published: 20/09/2011 at 06:56 PM
Online news: Security

Some dummy security cameras were installed in parts of Bangkok in 2007 after the capital suffered nine bomb explosions during the New Year 2007 celebration, former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin admitted on Tuesday.

A dummy security camera was set up on Sathorn road in 2009 by Bangkok authorities. (Photo by Kosol Nakachol)

Mr Apirak was responding to comments by Bangkok deputy governor Thirachon Manomaipibul earlier in the day that about 500 dummy security cameras were set up in April 2009, during the red-shirt riots.

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Ink
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Discussion 20 : 27/09/2011 at 12:21 PM20
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“However, the BMA at the time did not have enough money to implement the project so it instead put up dummy security cameras to deter people from committing crimes.”

Not enough money for the cameras or not enough to grease pockets?

According to Sukhumbhand Paribatra, BKK Governor after Apirak, the city had 330 million for security cameras. But they opted to purchase 2046 real units and 1325 fake units with the money citing there wasn’t enough money for the real ones because the real ones came with a cost of 100,000 per units. This would make the total number of cameras at 3371 units (2046+1325).

But when you do the math… 330 million would have gave BKK 3300 “real” cameras if the cost for the real one was 100,000 ea. So, it begs the question; why did they opted to get only 2046 real units and added 1325 fake units just to have 71 more in total (3371-3300)???
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loong
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Discussion 19 : 21/09/2011 at 01:23 AM19
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Apirak Kosayodhin, That was a nifty act indeed to install the boxes without pricy CCTV. Its save a lots of money for the city for those nonsense red's demonstration. I don't see any thing wrong with it because there are lots of fake CCTV in the US to deter speeding vehicles. The red got fool didn't they! Ha!!!
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paul_giles
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Discussion 18 : 21/09/2011 at 12:52 AM18
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I think all the government cameras in England are real. Private businesses such as department stores can use dummy cameras; however, governments have different obligations. It's a tough call because a dummy camera is probably better than no camera at all, though if people start believing that many cameras are dummies then all cameras start losing their effectiveness. If a person is being assualted they may run to a dummy camera assuming that it's real and that it will afford them some protection.
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meme
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Discussion 17 : 20/09/2011 at 10:22 PM17
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Smart move by Khun Apirak. It saved us taxpayers lots of money considering that it was dummies, not expensive real cameras, the redshirts destroyed last year.
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bystander
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Discussion 16 : 20/09/2011 at 10:22 PM16
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In my 10 years of working in retail in the US, a large percentage of the security camera cases in the store were empty and the cameras were frequently rearranged. This is common security practice.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 15 : 20/09/2011 at 09:32 PM15
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Dummy cameras are used quite often in the US, so I suppose that makes the US the "land of image and appearances" too. Quite simply one does not know if a camera is really or fake, thus one acts as if it were real. These are installed in many department stores and buildings, as well as on the street. And they are effective. Are you going to shoplift or run a red light if you see a camera pointed in your direction?
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brownie
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Discussion 14 : 20/09/2011 at 08:32 PM14
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I don't understand what the issue is here. There is nothing wrong with installing fake cameras or decoy to deter bad people from committing crimes. Many countries, including developed countries also have dummy cameras.

I don't think it's a new issue at all and I'm sure that many people know this beforehand. Many department stores in Bangkok also have dummy cameras. To save budget, I truly support having those dummy cameras. They can help act as a deterrent against crimes.
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franklin
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Discussion 13 : 20/09/2011 at 07:00 PM13
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Ahh Thailand, the land of images and appearances! Security cameras are not real, but fakes to give a false impression of security and to deter crime. They are just the ‘housings’ with nothing inside. Well, how appropriately fitting for Bangkok and Thailand in general! The same comparable claim to being ‘real’ is wide-spread among the countless imposters found among the Thai police farce. In fact let’s toss in most Thai politicians while we’re at it too. It’s all about looking the part without actually doing the part. Empty cameras? Welcome to the party!
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geoffo
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Discussion 12 : 20/09/2011 at 06:52 PM12
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To be fair when New Zealand decided to install speed cameras they did not have enough money for all the speed cameras they wanted either.

They decided however to tell everyone in advance that they would put up the weather cases everywhere around the country and move the few cameras around at random. Because no one knew which roadside box had a camera most drivers slowed down so the strategy worked.
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paul_giles
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Discussion 11 : 20/09/2011 at 06:46 PM11
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"'It was an urgent issue and at the time the city had a limited budget,' the Democrat party-list MP said."

I wonder what projects could be more important than installing an effective means to deter crime and further bomb attacks? Paving another dirt road to nowhere?

Typical Thai government mentality.

Dummy cameras, like dummy police officers, do have a positive effect on crime; however, the problem with the dummy camera is that when a crime does occur, there's no record of it.

Dig into most government projects (except mine) and you'll find it riddled with graft.
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BMA admits to fake security cameras | Bangkok Post: news