Tourists are being warned to stop plastering stickers over a big road sign in Thong Pha Phum district that has become an unofficial ‘check-in’ point for visitors travelling the highway.
Local Department of Highways chief Apilak Tosaporn issued the warning on Wednesday, saying the culprits could face legal action.
The sign is on a tall gantry above highway 3272 and informs motorists they are approaching Ban Pilok.
‘Tourists have attached stickers to the poles and also climbed up to attach more on the Ban Pilok sign itself,” Mr Apilak said. “Tourists frequently stop there and take photos of the sign, which has become a sort of ‘check-in’ point.’
He said after passing the sign motorists must negotiate 399 curves over the next 63 kilometres of road to visit Ban E-Tong, where there is a popular ancient mine.
The local highway office will erect signs prohibiting attaching stickers and climbing up to the sign.
He said the sticker-fiends are effectively damaging government property, obscuring the sign and breaking the highway law. Offenders were liable to up to six months in prison and/or a fine of 10,000 baht.
They also put themselves at risk and litter the area, Mr Apilak said.