Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said he has ordered police to charge speeding and drunk motorists who cause fatal accidents during the holiday with murder.
The Thai Government will launch the “seven-day road safety” campaign from April 11 to 17, as police have been ordered to stay vigilant against traffic safety violations.
Despite the intense road safety campaign for the Songkran festival in April last year, there were still 3,724 traffic accidents which killed 418 people and injured 3,897 others. Speeding and drink driving were cited as the most common causes.
Bangkok Police chief Lt. Gen. Sutthipong Wongpin said that, as per the annual practice, city police would not take days off over Songkran.
In addition to those to be dispatched to transport hubs, nearly 1,900 police officers and law enforcement officials would be stationed at 14 key locations in Bangkok as well as about 60 Songkran celebration venues, he said.
No photos, video clips of live broadcasts of nudity, lewd acts or inviting consumption of alcohol should be published on Thai social media during Songkran.
Moreover, those captured by photographs or video clips could be charged with performing a shameful act in public by indecently exposing themselves or committing other indecent acts.
Meanwhile, there will be no art performances held in Bangkok’s Khao San and Silom streets during Songkran because of preparations for the Thai King’s coronation event on May 4-6.
Songkran is Thailand’s most famous festival. An important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘passing’ or ‘approaching’.
