Strict surveillance of water-war zones, ‘safe’ splashing from pickups will be allowed

By Suriya Patathayo 
The Nation

 

 

POLICE YESTERDAY laid out security measures for the upcoming Songkran holidays, including a strict surveillance of water-war zones such as Bangkok’s Khao San and Silom roads and the Asiatique area.

 

Police have also decided to be lenient with revellers, allowing them to splash water from the cargo beds of pickup trucks “appropriately and safely”.

 

National police deputy commissioner Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakan led a video conference from the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok to ensure police are prepared in suppressing crime and beefing up security during Songkran. 

 

 

After the half-an-hour-long meeting, Chalermkiat said he has instructed police officers to provide tight security at water-war zones such as Khao San, Silom, Asiatique and Royal City Avenue in Bangkok – each of which is expected to have at least 5,000 revellers. 

 

As for popular Songkran celebration sites elsewhere in the country, such as Khon Kaen’s Khao Niew Road, the central moat area of Chiang Mai and Songkhla’s Hat Yai district, Chalermkiat said police will set up operation centres to oversee security measures, along with the Army and local administrators. 

 

Checkpoints will also be set up to screen vehicles for illegal items and to prevent any attacks, he added.

 

“The government and police ask people not to use high-pressure water guns, ice or unclean water, to not consume alcohol on moving vehicles, to not shoot guns in the air, to not sell alcoholic beverages to persons under 18, and to not wear revealing clothes. 

 

“Revellers can ride on and splash waster from pickup trucks’ cargo beds, provided that it is done appropriately, safely and without imposing a risk of road accidents,” he explained.

 

He also told the press that police intelligence has not picked up any information of possible attacks during the Songkran period. 

 

Police will continue conducting a crime sweep until April 10 and will keep a close eye out for traffickers using the holiday period to smuggle drugs, he added.

 

Chalermkiat has also invited the public to register their homes with the police “vacation home-watch” scheme, which will see frequent police patrols while the owners are on vacation from April 11 to 17. 

 

He said he expects as many as last Songkran’s 8,348 house-owners joining the scheme this year. 

 

Meanwhile, the smartphone application “Police I Lert U” – which he said has already seen up to 600,000 downloads – also serves as a quick channel to report crimes or emergencies.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30367014

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-03

Strict surveillance of water-war zones, ‘safe’ splashing from pickups will be allowed
By Suriya Patathayo 
The Nation
 

 

 
“The government and police ask people not to use high-pressure water guns, ice or unclean water, to not consume alcohol on moving vehicles, to not shoot guns in the air, to not sell alcoholic beverages to persons under 18, and to not wear revealing clothes. 
.
 
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30367014
 

-- [emoji767] Copyright The Nation 2019-04-03

I’m sure everyone will follow this too the letter.


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3 hours ago, webfact said:

strict surveillance of water-war zones

From a distant dry place with a bottle and an ice bucket. 

"Chalermkiat has also invited the public to register their homes with the police “vacation home-watch” scheme, which will see frequent police patrols while the owners are on vacation from April 11 to 17. "

 

Your joking, right ? 

Songkran was a BLAST the first year, has gone down in popularity for me since, and is now why I seek life in another country or hidey hole in my condo until it's over. Any holiday that has "How many people died yesterday" in the headlines EVERY DAY needs to be re-thunk!

RE - Strict surveillance of water-war zones, ‘safe’ splashing from pickups will be allowed

 

How can it ever be safe on a overcrowded pic-up by reducing the splash ...? ...

Goodness me man, you are the National Police Deputy Commissioner, a full Police General, and you have totally missed the point, the biggest threat to safety, morals and life as we know it during the annual Sonkran festivities!

 

Spaghetti strap tops, spaghetti strap tops, what about the spaghetti strap tops?

 

Come on, get a grip!

 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Chalermkiat has also invited the public to register their homes with the police “vacation home-watch” scheme

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Chalermkiat has also invited the public to register their homes with the police “vacation home-watch” scheme

That's for free, right? 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Strict surveillance of water-war zones, ‘safe’ splashing from pickups will be allowed

...and here is the result...….Sanook mak!

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“Revellers can ride on and splash waster [sic] from pickup trucks’ cargo beds

The new formula to maintain the holiday death toll!  The original concept for Songkran may have been valid but, as with most public holidays, it has become commercialized and is now out of control.  Where is my water cannon?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

register their homes with the police “vacation home-watch” scheme, which will see frequent police patrols while the owners are on vacation

What better way to know which houses to rob.

 

5 hours ago, getithere328 said:

 

I’m sure everyone will follow this too the letter.


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"And to not sell alcoholic beverages to those under 18 years"

The legal age in Thailand is 20yrs.. Can't believe the authorities don't know what the legal age is here.. Unbelievable.. TIT.. 

Sounds like Songkran martial law will be taking place in this toxic smog how appealing ????

My mask is not waterproof ????

And as another poster noted, no "official" care re: over-loaded pickups  or enforcing traffic violation? Once a third world country, always a third world country. Leaders must have a distinct vision to stop the carnage on the roads...must have a vision to restore confidence in tourism as a whole....must underscore that tourism is the bread and butter for survival with Thai citizens in those tourist spots....I could go on and on, but I get winded "hoping" that eyes will finally open and somehow those in authority have an IQ over 80.

2 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Last people I would tell if I was on holiday.

You are right but I am sure the police are cunning enough to keep at arm's length from any actual burglaries.

Selling the lists of vacant homes to the highest bidder would be a safer option. Lists of vacant homes in affluent areas would attract a premium.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Revellers can ride on and splash waster from pickup trucks’ cargo beds, provided that it is done appropriately, safely and without imposing a risk of road accidents,” he explained.

Define safely and appropriately. 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Police have also decided to be lenient with revellers, allowing them to splash water from the cargo beds of pickup trucks “appropriately and safely”.

Roughly translated this means, 'We will continue to do nothing to serve and protect the public as we do for the rest of the year but will accept the overtime payments for gazing at our phones.'

5 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Define safely and appropriately. 

"Safely" is only throwing a 5 litre bucket of water over passing motorcyclists instead of a 20 litre bucket. "Appropriately" is making sure the bucket itself does not connect with the rider.

"Safely" is only throwing a 5 litre bucket of water over passing motorcyclists instead of a 20 litre bucket. "Appropriately" is making sure the bucket itself does not connect with the rider.

Make sure there are large lumps of ice in it as well.

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31 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

Define safely and appropriately. 

Tie yourself in and wear Dr Martins non slip footwear????

7 hours ago, webfact said:

POLICE YESTERDAY laid out security measures for the upcoming Songkran holidays,

Which will be totally ignored by the populous who will do what the hell they want, where they want, when they want !

2 hours ago, owenm said:

"And to not sell alcoholic beverages to those under 18 years"

The legal age in Thailand is 20yrs.. Can't believe the authorities don't know what the legal age is here.. Unbelievable.. TIT.. 

I'm pretty sure you can buy from a shop at 18, the legal age for drinking in licensed

premises is 20.

Nothing is Safe in the back of a ute (pick up) if it isn't tied down,,. Fools , they fool themselves.

Quote

....splash water from the cargo beds of pickup trucks “appropriately and safely”.

A: "It's not safe to ride around in pickup trucks having drunken water fights.  People get hurt and killed every year."
B: "You're right.  We'll just do it 'Nit Noi' this year."

A:  "Kah."

B:  "Glad we cleared that up.  Let's take a photo."

The __________ that use those spray guns made from 1.5 inch PVC pipe should get a yr in jail.

I love a good time just like many, but then can shoot a powerful stream of water a good 10 meters and capable of causing injury and the dumb _________ using them will shoot u inthe face with them even if you are riding motorbike.

 

One yr in Pattaya I wanted to go back there beat the ________ that shot me in the face and chest with one loaded with ice water but I know I would have gotten the worst of it.

 

Songkran is really meant to gently dump a small container if water over the shoulder ofa person, not the nitwit antics that go on.

I lived here 14 yrs and inly gone to Songkran twice and no intention of attending another.

We usually leave Thailand from 12-20

He also told the press that police intelligence has not picked up any information of possible attacks during the Songkran period. 

 

Isn't this an oxymoron?

3 hours ago, owenm said:

"And to not sell alcoholic beverages to those under 18 years"

The legal age in Thailand is 20yrs.. Can't believe the authorities don't know what the legal age is here.. Unbelievable.. TIT.. 

Have mercy - the law was changed back in 2008 raising the age from 18 to 20 so not that easy to remember ...

3 hours ago, roo860 said:

Make sure there are large lumps of ice in it as well.

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And washing up liquid!