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Bangkok Post
29-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Chadchart Moves to Regulate LED Sign Light Pollution
Bangkok, July 29, 2025 – Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has proposed a draft regulation to control lighting from electric signs with integrated LED systems, aiming to improve residents' quality of life and address increasing complaints over excessive light emissions in the city. The draft Bangkok Act, tabled during the third ordinary session (first meeting) of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) for 2025, aligns with Section 17 of the Ministerial Regulation on the control of signs and structures, under the Building Control Act B.E. 2558 (2015), and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act B.E. 2528 (1985) and its amendments. Chadchart highlighted that LED advertising signs, particularly those located near expressways, often emit excessive light that disturbs nearby residents. However, current laws do not clearly define what constitutes a disruptive level of brightness. 'This draft act is not only to prevent nuisance but to provide measurable guidelines for acceptable light intensity,' said Chadchart. 'At present, there is no scientific standard to determine when lighting becomes disruptive.' He added, 'We want to set clear criteria to ensure that private sector investment in signage stays within reasonable limits, while safeguarding citizens' wellbeing and road safety.' The proposed regulation sets maximum light intensity limits for electric signs as follows: Any sign exceeding these levels would be deemed a nuisance or a hazard to visibility and traffic safety. The Governor of Bangkok would be authorised to take action under this regulation. The BMC approved the draft and formed a special committee to suggest amendments within five days and complete a review within 60 days.
AsiaOne
28-07-2025
- General
- AsiaOne
Tanjong Katong sinkhole: PUB says recovery efforts are 'progressing steadily', urges public to remain patient , Singapore News
Recovery efforts along Tanjong Katong South Road have now been underway for more than two days after a sinkhole formed there on Saturday (July 26). In the meantime, efforts to ready the road for reopening are advancing steadily, with tests being conducted to check ground conditions, said national water agency PUB late on July 28. PUB's director for water reclamation (network) Herman Ching told reporters that while recovery efforts are 'progressing steadily', safety still remains "a priority'. Ching also confirmed that backfilling works - using liquified stabilised soil (LSS) - were completed this morning. LSS is made of cement, soil, and water and is used to fill cavities in the soil. It also provides the strength needed for subsequent road construction works. PUB, which is leading and coordinating recovery efforts, said that 'rigorous tests and scans' are currently deployed to 'detect underground cavities and verify ground stability". These include the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR), physical probes, and seismic scans. PUB added that thorough assessments are conducted in consultation with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Land Transport Authority. The agency also sought the public's continued patience and understanding as works continue round-the-clock to expedite recovery of the affected road. [[nid:720693]] BCA to conduct independent investigation Separately, BCA said they are commencing an independent investigation into the sinkhole incident. 'The investigation will examine the circumstances leading to the formation of the sinkhole, identify the root causes, and take the necessary actions against any non-compliance under the Building Control Act', said BCA in a statement to the media today. BCA added that investigations could take months given the complexity of the incident and the need for geophysical tests. [[nid:720685]] editor@
Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Straits Times
Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after PUB tests
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE – The sinkhole in Tanjong Katong Road South has been backfilled, and national water agency PUB will conduct tests before the caved-in road is repaved. Giving this update in a Facebook post on July 28, Mr Goh Pei Ming, an MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, said PUB 's tests will include drilling probes, which are up to 20m deep, to check that there are no air pockets in the soil. These come on top of radar scans to assess ground conditions. A section of Tanjong Katong Road South collapsed on the evening of July 26, swallowing a car and its driver. The driver was rescued and sent to Raffles Hospital for observation. She had experienced muscular pain. The sinkhole was located near a PUB construction site, which involved sewer laying works. The road has since been closed, with traffic and bus services diverted. The tests and analysis will take some time, said Mr Goh, who is also Minister of State for Home Affairs as well as Social and Family Development. 'I understand residents are keen to know when the road can be reopened. I think it is best we give the agencies the time to be doubly sure the road is safe before we reopen,' he added. In a statement later in the day, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said it is starting an independent investigation into the incident under the Building Control Act. The probe will examine the circumstances leading to the sinkhole's formation, identify the causes, and act against any non-compliance under the Building Control Act and Regulations. 'Given the complexity of the incident, the investigations could take several months to complete. It will include detailed geotechnical analysis and other validation tests by BCA and its appointed consultants,' the authority added. Mr Goh said traffic was smooth when he visited the site on the morning of July 28, noting that the Land Transport Authority had put out messages to motorists, as well as worked with the Ministry of Education to notify parents of road diversions. Tanjong Katong Road South is on the boundary of Mountbatten constituency and Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC. PUB said on July 27 that the works at the site next to the sinkhole involved the construction of a 16m-deep shaft to connect three existing sewer lines, and a structure in the shaft had failed at about 5.50pm on July 26 – around the same time the sinkhole formed. It is still unclear what contributed to the failure of the caisson ring, a concrete structure in the shaft. A caisson ring is a watertight concrete cylinder that is sunk underground to form a stable foundation for other structures. The Straits Times has asked PUB for more information, including the nature of the failure, the ground monitoring regime in place before the incident, as well as whether a reported burst water pipe nearby on July 25 was connected to the sinkhole occurring the next evening. Editor's note: An earlier version of this report quoted MP Goh Pei Ming saying that LTA will conduct tests before the road is repaved. Mr Goh has since updated his Facebook post to say PUB is carrying out the tests.
Bangkok Post
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
DSI probes unlawful VIP runway
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI)'s Natural Resources and Environment Crime Division yesterday unveiled its findings regarding a private airfield, dubbed the "VIP Runway," in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. It is now awaiting crucial clarifications from five government agencies concerning the alleged unlawful conversion of a public road into a private airstrip, it said. The probe was launched following a complaint by lawyer Phattarapong Supakson, who claimed a public road had been converted for use as a temporary private runway. DSI investigators found the airstrip to be 19 metres wide and 1 kilometre long but, crucially, overlapping with a 450-metre section of public road, which was now part of a private golf course. Initial reports placed the land under the Khanong Phra Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO), but further review confirmed it is part of the Lam Takhong self-help settlement area and no construction permits for a runway have been submitted for the site since 2007. The DSI said it is awaiting documents from five agencies: Khanong Phra TAO, the Land Department, Lam Takhong Community, Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Land Reform Office. The Lam Takhong community has filed a police complaint, asserting the airfield was built without approval from the Department of Social Development and Welfare, which oversees the settlement. Historical aerial photos from 1974 and 1999 confirm the road's longstanding public use. Once all documents are reviewed, the DSI plans to summon the owners of the airfield and golf course. A politician is suspected of seeking permits after the airfield was already built, around 2012, based on aerial evidence. The golf course is reportedly owned by the politician's sister. The DSI said the investigation centres on land encroachment, unauthorised land use and unapproved construction. Laws affected include the Building Control Act, Forestry Act, Agricultural Land Reform Act, Air Navigation Act and the Land Allocation for Livelihood Act. The DSI will also examine any illegal transfer, lease or sale of land rights. Despite local complaints and recent sightings of aircraft at the site, authorities have yet to take action. The DSI is seeking an explanation from the TAO regarding their handling of these concerns.
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: Strict penalties for non adherence to building standards
Government has tabled the Building Control (Amendment) Bill, 2025 that will see enforcement of standards in the construction industry with strict penalties for offenders. The Bill tabled by the State Minister for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama on Wednesday, 09 April 2025 will address the gaps in the Building Control Act and streamline the procedure for approval of building and occupational permits. The presentation of the Bill comes at a time when the country has seen reports of poor workmanship at constructions sites leading to collapse of buildings which have led to deaths and injuries of mainly workers. The industry has also seen start of construction works and occupation of structures with permits. Clause 16 of the Bill prescribes liability for causing accidents in buildings or on building construction sites with those found culpable facing up to 12 years in jail or a fine of Shs10 million. 'Any person whose negligence, commission or omission leads to an accident on a building or a building construction site, which results into injury, death or destruction of property, commits an offence,' the Bill states in part. The Bill also criminalises a person who carries out a building operation without a valid building permit and faces two years' imprisonment or a fine of Shs20,000 for every square metre of the built-up area. The new law when passed by Parliament establishes a building committee in each district local government and urban council with powers to order for demolition or evacuation of premises constructed illegally. 'The Building Committee shall have the power to demolish or order the evacuation of buildings constructed in contravention of this Act and the conditions prescribed by the minister by regulations,' reads the Bill. The committee will also be in charge of approving applications for building permits under the stewardship of the district chief administrative officer. The new law streamlines functions and composition of the National Building Review Board (NBRB) which will enforce mechanisms of approval of plans, quality assurance and inspection of buildings. 'It provides for the powers of the Board to issue stop or evacuation orders in circumstances where a building committee has failed to comply with the recommendations of the Board and safety is compromised at a building,' the Bill adds. NBRB in the new law is charged with restructuring of procedures for approval of building permits and occupation permits while providing for use of unconventional methods, technologies and materials for building. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa referred the Bill to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for consideration. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
