BANGKOK: The Thai police has set up a monitoring centre to prevent and reduce road accidents during the upcoming Songkran festival.
In statement today, Thai Police said the centre will be operational from today until April 18, with the aim of fostering collaboration with government and private agencies to comprehensively reduce risk factors for road accidents.
It said the initiative includes stepping up law enforcement and raising safety awareness among road users.
“The centre aims to reduce road accidents and facilitate traffic for citizens to safely return to their hometowns,” it said.
Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Pol Lt Gen Kornchai Klaykiueng opened the centre for the prevention and reduction of road accidents during the Songkran Festival.
Last year, statistics showed a total of 264 people lost their lives in 2,203 road accidents during the ‘Seven Deadly Days of Songkran’, from Apr 11 to 17. A total of 2,208 people were injured in road accidents during the Songkran holiday period.
Songkran is celebrated annually from April 13 to 15, marking the start of the Thai New Year. It was officially inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in December last year.
Meanwhile, Governor of Bangkok, Chatchart Sitthiphan said that up to 118 locations throughout Bangkok will host Songkran activities.
He also invited the public and all sectors to participate in Songkran activities throughout Bangkok this year.
“People can access the web application https://happining.city/songkran2024 which shows a map of Songkran festival locations throughout Bangkok. This initiative was prepared by Bangkok authorities to inform people about the event’s location, timing, and the level of wetness at each location,“ he said.
