Some electric wires in Bangkok urgently buried for APEC meeting

Ugly electric cables in front of the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok have been pulled down and buried to provide a more aesthetic scene for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting from November 16 to 19. The action evoked much mirth and merriment from the nation’s netizens.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) of Thailand’s Facebook page yesterday announced that about 500 metres of overhanging electrical cables and poles in front of the QSNCC have been buried to improve the panoramic view of the area for the APEC meeting.

Pictures of the operation were posted online showing the before and after look.

Many Thai netizens commented on the post. Some praised the authorities for their quick and efficient work while others said the government were just window-dressing a part of Bangkok. Many netizens poked fun at the government’s procrastination in burying the rest of the capital’s overhead electric cables. A project to bury the capital’s overhead cables began in 1984 and remains unfinished.

“Wish Bangkok to have international meetings everywhere.”

“Wow! 500 metres! Great job!”

“Oh no, where can foreigners get a photoshoot with authentic Thai electric wires?”

“Could you please have a meeting in the Rama 2 area?”

“Oh wow! You can actually do it! How come you didn’t do it sooner?”

“I asked officers to check the broken electric wires near my house. They said they would coordinate with the team. It had already been four months. Coordination takes so long…”

The MEA also added that they finished an underground cable project of over 23 kilometres on some roads in Bangkok on Rama 4, Witthayu, Sathorn, and Charoen Krung roads.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) of Thailand made known to the public yesterday that the QSNCC Station of the MRT subway will be closed from November 16 at 12.01am to November 19 at 6pm to facilitate the APEC meeting.

The MRT train will operate as normal but trains will not stop at the QSNCC Station. There will be free shuttle buses for people affected by the closure at Rama 4 Intersection near Klong Toey MRT Station, and Asok Intersection near Sukhumvit MRT Station.