RTP chief says people WILL be allowed to ride in the back of pick-ups at Songkran 2023 - but only FOUR!

[webfact]

Picture Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported on comments made by the chief of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat yesterday regarding the election and the Songkran holidays.

 

It will be the chief's first Songkran in charge next month and he has addressed a perennial concern - the public riding dangerously in the back of pick-ups.

 

Each year sometimes a dozen or more people ride in the back of the vehicles splashing water amd the mayhem that is the traditional Thai New Year holidays.

 

Pre-pandemic a ban was ordered, but the RTP in their infinite wisdom decided not to do anything about it, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

This year as Covid has been declared endemic and many people are expected to return to their homes upcountry Damrongsak addressed the situation.

 

He said that a meeting had been held and it was decided to allow people to ride in the back of pick-ups.

But only four at a time.

 

They would also have to stick to the left and not hog the right lane by barriers.

 

File photo for reference only

 

Damrongsak also said that everything would be done over the so-called "Seven Deadly Days" to ensure the safety of the public.

 

This would entail checkpoints concentrating on catching drink drivers, a cornerstone of government policy.

 

Damrongsak also spoke about the upcoming general election on May 14th saying that he had ordered all sections of the RTP to look into the possibility of violence in the lead up to voting.

 

He expected things to be better than in previous elections when it comes to violence but expected the election laws to be flouted by certain influential groups.

 

He has urged the RTP to maintain neutrality and be cautious about breaking the election law themselves.

 

A special command center to deal with potential trouble at the election is expected to be set up.

 

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[2baht]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

But only four at a time.

I hope that leaves room for the 40 gallon drum of water!  ????

[jacko45k]

So what are we saying here... laws can be suspended or modified at the whim of  the Police General? Why not let them continue on ignoring them and the police not policing them, as we do already?

[Andre0720]

Sounds logical though.

Towards an objective of fewer deaths on the road during Songkran, by limiting the number of eventual deaths in pick-up trucks to no more than 4.

[Pib]

22 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

So what are we saying here... laws can be suspended or modified at the whim of  the Police General? Why not let them continue on ignoring them and the police not policing them, as we do already?

As to whether to enforce laws or not maybe the RTP codes laws as:

 

- Yes...always enforce

- No...never enforce

- Sometimes...with no rhyme or reason

 

[connda]

I betcha there is no way in Buddha's celestial heaven that the cops enforce the ban.

[connda]

7 minutes ago, Pib said:

As to whether to enforce laws or not maybe the RTP codes laws as:

 

- Yes...always enforce

- No...never enforce

- Sometimes...with no rhyme or reason

 

฿฿฿ No...with plenty of rhyme and reason ฿฿฿

[LennyW]

And good luck with that one as well!!

[ikke1959]

44 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

So what are we saying here... laws can be suspended or modified at the whim of  the Police General? Why not let them continue on ignoring them and the police not policing them, as we do already?

Always and every law can be modified , changed or used as they like...4 in the back now allowed, but more if there are kids, because they don't count for the law etc etc,...And who is going to control it?? Police is busy on the roadsides on their mobiles and the other ones are on holiday ...

[Will B Good]

I always thought the law makers were our 'elected' representatives in government, the judiciary apply the law (fairly...555)......the police are there to police the population according to the law...............it's not up to the police to decide what the law actually is, should be, or if it should applied or dis-applied......what am I thinking.....this is Thailand.

[spidermike007]

These guys love to make rules, but rarely enforce them. A rather strange paradox. Will they enforce this one? I doubt it. 

[TheFishman1]

Remember when they banned everybody from riding in the back of a pick up the place that I absolutely nothing to enforce that TIT

[Srikcir]

Prayut ignored election laws and the Constitution when he overthrew the Thai caretaker government in 2014 just prior to elections and installed himself as PM.

Goose-Gander.

 

[Bangkok Barry]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that a meeting had been held and it was decided to allow people to ride in the back of pick-ups.

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Damrongsak also said that everything would be done over the so-called "Seven Deadly Days" to ensure the safety of the public.

These two statements contradict each other.

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm… So only 6-7 people killed instead of the usual 10-12 . Has to be an improvement?

[Mad mick]

2 to 5 in front if duel cab 4 in back sounds great happy Songkran rip ???????????????? RTP ????

[shackleton]

Why bother coming out with rules

which know one will listen to and obey ????

And the police will not enforce in the first place ????

[Bday Prang]

         I really couldn't care less, I have no intention of sitting in the back of a pick up during Songkran or at any other  time.   Nothing to do with the law. or any kind of risk a risk assessment etc etc   Its a common sense thing.    simple as that. 

         I would try to discourage friends and family from doing the same, and I could understand others acting in a similar manner . As  for other people  it is entirely up to them, and I won't be losing any sleep over the matter and neither should anybody else.  legislation is no substitute for common sense.

         Having said that 99% of water fights between people on pick ups do tend to take place at slower speeds than normal often at walking speed as part of some sort of procession , unlike the day to day situation with pick-ups often driving at ridiculous speeds when carrying people in the back 

          Despite all the hype every year,  there does not seem to be anymore deaths on the road during the two holiday periods of Songkran and  New year than the "normal " national average, maybe indeed as a result of the hype who knows? 

           However I do believe there should be a campaign to prevent people throwing water at passing motorcyclists for obvious reasons 

         

 

[IvorBiggun2]

It's mainly motorcycles that the police need to be clamping down on. The biggest killer on Thai roads are motor cycles. 82% of accidents involved motorcycles, followed by pick-ups (7.37%) and cars (4.7%)

 

 

 

 

[Robert Tyrrell]

Good Afternoon,

 

Great Thai Logic !! Don’t worry if 4 get in an accident and there flying through the air to there deaths , That will be better then more then 4 getting killed !!!

WTF !!!???

[jimn]

 I dont know why the authorities continue to make stupid statements. Surely they know people will totally ignore the remit and the police will not enforce it.

[crazykopite]

???????????? no need for SONGKRAN you see overloaded pickup 24/7 does this guy thinks it’s April Fools Day by coming out with such a silly comment 

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

chief of the Royal Thai Police

Goofball in Chief

[IvorBiggun2]

7 minutes ago, Robert Tyrrell said:

there flying

 

7 minutes ago, Robert Tyrrell said:

there deaths

It's 'their'.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that a meeting had been held and it was decided to allow people to ride in the back of pick-ups.

But only four at a time.

 

They would also have to stick to the left and not hog the right lane by barriers.

I can see why he got the top job.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This would entail checkpoints concentrating on catching drink drivers, a cornerstone of government policy.

Failing policy.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

So what are we saying here... laws can be suspended or modified at the whim of  the Police General? Why not let them continue on ignoring them and the police not policing them, as we do already?

They will...

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, Andre0720 said:

Sounds logical though.

Towards an objective of fewer deaths on the road during Songkran, by limiting the number of eventual deaths in pick-up trucks to no more than 4.

4 in the back tray... what about the ones crammed inside?

[skippybangkok]

 It car seats are required for children 

 

the mind boggles 

[Marco51]

How much does it cost to carry more than 4 ? Water barrel are extra? Full or empty rates? Depending on how many uniforms are at the checkpoints? If the directives are not clear before the fact, there won't be

same rates everywhere................... makes planning so much more difficult.

????