Over 400 checkpoints in Bangkok over Songkran vacation

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok may not have been targeted by southern insurgents, but the Metropolitan Police is taking no chances, establishing over 400 checkpoints throughout the capital for the period of the Songkran vacation.

Yesterday Metropolitan Police Chief Pansiri Praphawat revealed that the capital’s force had established 256 Songkran checkpoints and a further 181 special monitoring points, and that nightly patrols during the vacation period would be attended by senior police officers at commander and commissioner level.

During the busy vacation period, the force is banning its officers from taking leave.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Pansiri stressed that Friday night had not seen any violence, and that the only cases witnessed were drink driving incidents.

The Metropolitan Police force hopes that no more than 26 people die on Bangkok’s roads over the traditionally lethal Songkran festival.

--TNA 2005-04-10

Stay 'ome George

Krub.

That should bump the coffers up then

It is only my third Songkran period in los, but for the last two years I decided to stay at home. It is just safer. Fully equipped with food supply and dvd`s I am quietly looking forward to a peaceful Songkran. On 14th I will surface again.

Has this happened before? Or is it unprecedented? Old hands please tell...

I haven't seen any in Isaan the last 3 days.

Yeah both Song Kran and the Western-adopted/international new year are both notorious for deadly incidents. Chinese New year here seems to be less of a problem in this regard, but acidents tend to increase during such celebratory holidays. Welcome to a not very smiley side of LOS... but I'd think that other countries have similar problems during the holidays too...

As seen on TV today, car stopped at Checkpoint for speeding included Radar picture taken Fine.......none was allowed to go on!!

Whats the use of having a Checkpoint proof of speeding but no fine!

Amazed