PATTAYA, THAILAND – A newly installed LED mega-screen in northern Pattaya was shut down after a cable theft, abruptly halting the city’s advertising for arriving tourists.
LED screen on main road put out of action
The outage was discovered along Sukhumvit Road heading into Pattaya, near the traffic light intersection with the motorway in northern Pattaya. The huge LED display had only recently been used prominently for New Year celebrations and a fireworks festival to show events and tourist information.
Four main power cables cut and removed
Reporters at the scene found that four large power cables, each about 1.5 meters long, had been cut and removed. The lines had connected the electricity meter with the control cabinet of the installation, leaving the high-value advertising display completely out of operation.
Taxi drivers raised alarm after days of darkness
Motorcycle taxi drivers in the area said the screen had been switched off for about two to three days and was initially believed to have been shut down normally. Only when one driver went to dispose of rubbish did he discover the severed cables running from the meter to the LED control cabinet and reported suspected theft.
Low scrap value, high damage to image
According to estimates at the scene, the stolen cables would likely fetch only around 300 baht each as scrap, while the economic and image damage was described as far higher because the premium advertising screen was useless without power. City representatives viewed the incident as a setback for efforts to present Pattaya as a leading travel destination with modern information and advertising spaces.
Police investigating unknown suspects
Pattaya’s city administration instructed staff to file a complaint with Banglamung Police Station, where authorities planned to investigate and pursue criminal charges against the yet unknown perpetrators. The theft was seen as part of recurring cases of cable vandalism in the region, often linked to the black-market value of copper and other materials.
Warnings over wider risks of cable theft
Security officials pointed out that cable theft often caused much greater damage than the small proceeds for the offenders, potentially affecting traffic systems and traffic lights, public lighting, and information and advertising displays. City administrators were urged to speed up repairs so the screen could be put back into operation quickly and safeguard the city’s tourist-facing image along this key transport artery.
Debate over how to respond to everyday vandalism
“A few meters of cable, a minimal return – and a multi-million showcase is dead.”
said The Pattaya News, commenting on the incident.
“Why is it repeatedly so easy to sabotage public infrastructure?”
said The Pattaya News, raising concerns about security.
“Do we need better protection, tougher penalties or simply faster repairs so that offenders do not win?”
said The Pattaya News, asking what response would be most effective against everyday vandalism.