Bangkok Is On High Alert On Security Measures For Songkran Festival

[webfact]

Bangkok is on high alert on security measures for Songkran Festival

BANGKOK, April 4 – The Thai capital, Bangkok and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (City Hall, the BMA) is on high alert with increased security measures set for this month’s Songkran festival April 12-15.

The BMA’s precautions are meant to prevent any violence after last weekend’s car bomb attacks in Yala and Songkhla, according to a senior City Hall official.

BMA City Law Enforcement Department director Kramol Olarawat said the agency will mobilise 1,240 law enforcement staff from the city’s 50 district offices to assist police in providing security and to help motorists during the traditional water festival.

Thousands of Bangkokians will travel to the provinces, while many visitors will flow into the capital for the festivities, he said.

The BMA’s law enforcement contingent staff also be on duty at bus terminals, shopping and tourist centres, and other areas considered to be at possible risk.

Chiang Mai Governor Panadda Disakul said the province was also stepping up security measures. Security will be heightened at all gateways to the province—by road, rail and air.

Provincial agencies will report on a daily basis, said the governor, who urged the public to help the authorities by noting and reporting irregularities. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-04-04

[DocN]

...will they rather make sure that no one is dancing topless or take complete drunks of the road and prevent people from splashing ice cold water on speeding motorbike- drivers....

[Orac]

Though it is reassuring that they are taking these precautions against potential terrorist attacks the sad fact is the odds are that by several orders of magnitude you are far more likely to suffer death of serious injury on the roads over this period.

[Seri]

@ DocN

It's a sad fact that Thai society accepts drunken driving, no helmet-wearing and water-splashing on incoming bike traffic but IT IS UNACCEPTABLE to show some flesh during the hottest month of the year to celebrate the New Year.

[wannascuba]

@ DocN

It's a sad fact that Thai society accepts drunken driving, no helmet-wearing and water-splashing on incoming bike traffic but IT IS UNACCEPTABLE to show some flesh during the hottest month of the year to celebrate the New Year.

Your quote is indeed sad. It is also sad when you are damned if you do and damned if you dont.

[webfact]

City police ready with safety measures during Songkran holidays

BANGKOK, 4 April 2012 (NNT) – The city police are ready to provide safety to Bangkok residents during the upcoming Songkran holidays.

Deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Police Major General Wichai Sangpraphai, said that security will be stepped up across Bangkok from April 7th to 13th, when city residents will likely be outside enjoying the Songkran festival.

Police Major General Wichai's assurance was heard after Deputy Prime Minister, Police Captain Chalerm Ubumrung held a meeting with commanders of Metropolitan Police Division 1-9 to discuss the security program for the holidays.

Wichai stated that the number of police officers on duty during the festival will be added to ensure city residents and tourists alike of their safety.

In addition, several checkpoints will be set up throughout Bangkok while city police will collaborate with all related security forces to pay close attention to areas where a huge crowd of Songkran revelers will be gathering, such as Khao San Road and Central World shopping plaza.

The Deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau added that police intelligence has confirmed that there is nothing to worry about the violent attacks seen recently in the South spreading to the capital.

-- NNT 2012-04-04

[CHANGOVER]

police intelligence has confirmed that there is nothing to worry about the violent attacks seen recently in the South spreading to the capital.

-- NNT 2012-04-04

Somehow these two words don't sit well together, so watch out Bangkok!

Edited April 4, 2012 by CHANGOVER

[clockman]

When ever Thai officals say, no problem. Better look out for yourself!

[WhizBang]

City police ready with safety measures during Songkran holidays

Oh good. Not a worry then, the BiB are on the job. We are safe.

[webfact]

Security measures for Songkran increased nationwide

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- City authorities are on high alert and setting increased security measures for this month's Songkran festival, which runs from April 12-16.

The precautions issued by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are meant to prevent any violence after last weekend's car bomb attacks in Yala and Songkhla, said City Law Enforcement Department director Kramol Olarawat.

The authorities will mobilise 1,240 law enforcement staff from the city's 50 district offices to assist police in providing security and to help motorists during the traditional water festival.

Thousands of Bangkokians will travel to the provinces, while many visitors will flow into the capital for the festivities, he said.

The BMA's law enforcement contingent staff will also be on duty at bus terminals, shopping and tourist centres, and other areas considered to be at possible risk.

Chiang Mai Governor Panadda Disakul said the province was also stepping up security measures. Security will be heightened at all gateways to the province — by road, rail and air.

Provincial agencies will report on a daily basis, said the governor, who urged the public to help the authorities by noting and reporting irregularities.

-- The Nation 2012-04-04

[webfact]

Bus Terminal Security Tightened for Songkran Holidays

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Company is working with the police and military in overseeing security at its bus terminals ahead of the Songkran holidays.

President of the Transport Company Wuthichart Kanlayanamit has reported that for the upcoming Songkran holidays from April 9 to 18, the company will coordinate with the police and military in overseeing security at its bus terminals across the country.

The company has also installed additional CCTV cameras at all of the three bus terminals in Bangkok, particularly at the Southern Bus Terminal which has already been designated a “safety zone” with increased security.

Morover, the company will only ship packages belonging to passengers. All packages will have to go through inspection and carry the owners' identifications to ensure security.

For the holidays, the company will increase the number of trips from 3,500 to 5,200 to accommodate passengers whose number is expected to reach one million. Wuthichart expressed confidence that no passengers will be left stranded.

The Transport Company has also joined hands with Advance Technology System in offering ticketing services at the Counter Service outlets throughout the country.

For booking, call 1490 or 02-193-8111 or 02-872-1777. Passengers can book tickets up to 60 to days in advance.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-04

[waza]

Over the last few year the only terrorists that were active over songkran have been the redshirts, but the are playing away this year. So I hope the BIB are on alert for people adding urine and acid to their waterguns. Happy Songkran everyone

[jinjinswing]

Thanks for the info....ive booked a hotel in pattaya for the that week and i will go by van. there festival is a later..

[PoodMaiDai]

Didn't they just say two - three weeks ago after the Iranian blew his legs off that there were no threats of terrorism in Thailand?

[trainman34014]

'High Alert' meaning the BIB will be handing out slightly less Whiskey then normal to its members.

[Thaddeus]

Didn't they just say two - three weeks ago after the Iranian blew his legs off that there were no threats of terrorism in Thailand?

TAT said that, but they do have a very slender grip on reality.

[theblether]

Bangkok Is On High Alert On Security Measures For Songkran Festival......

The authorities have been alerted that theblether will fly into to Bangkok next Tuesday to attend the Songkran festival. Minister for Mental Health Somchai Witti has ordered that 20 million sets of ear plugs be distributed as theblether talks too much. This excessive talking has been known to cause psychotic episodes to occur to people who have been exposed for too long to his inane ramblings.

7 million prozac pills have also been obtained as theblether is a notorious heart breaker and the female population of Thailand may go into meltdown when he arrives.

Police advise caution is advised when approaching theblether, a police spokesman said......" if you get into difficulties you are on your own, we're not going near him ".

Just sayin'

and don't say I didn't warn you