Push to limit pickup passengers to four for Songkran
A pickup lies on one side after an accident in Chiang Mai yesterday. Authorities have launched an aggressive road-safety campaign for the Songkran Festival, which usually sees several hundred people killed in road accidents.
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The Land Transport Department has proposed that pickup trucks be barred from carrying more than four passengers during the upcoming Songkran Festival.
"This is for safety reasons," the department's director general Silapachai Jarukasemrattana said yesterday. He added his department has already informed the Royal Thai Police to help enforce the ban or at least seek cooperation from motorists, because water fights from the pickups have often led to accidents over the past several years. Transport Minister Admiral Theera Haocharoen also urged motorists and all relevant people to help prevent accidents. "Human error has led to accidents," he said, adding they were often caused by reckless driving or by poorly maintained vehicles. Theera said his department was now planning to take harsh action against anyone who caused an accident and motorists should face a driving ban if they were responsible. "If any accident happens, someone must be held responsible," he said. Silapachai urged people to check their vehicles and directions before they start their journey. His department planned to check on motorists and vehicles as a measure to prevent accidents. In Bangkok, security concerns have prompted authorities to increase the number of police officers on Khao San Road, which is expected to attract up to 100,000 revellers during the Songkran celebrations. "The number of police officers will increase to 200," an informed source said. Last year, only 100 police officers were deployed on Khao San during the festival. The Songkran Festival runs from Friday to next Tuesday this year. The same source said up to 500 police officers would be stationed in areas surrounding Khao San Road. As for Sanam Luang, where grand celebrations including cultural shows will be staged, 22 security cameras will be installed and about 500 police officers would be on duty. Meanwhile, the Transport Co announced it has increased the number of bus trips from 4,400 to 8,000 a day to accommodate the huge demand during the Songkran Festival. A large number of Bangkok residents usually head to other provinces during the festival either for a vacation or to visit their home provinces.
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