PM Yingluck To Launch 'Zero Casualty' Road Safety Campaign During Songkran Festival

[heiwa]

If you don't want to be caught up in alcohol fueled songkran traffic fatalities I suggest the safest way to avoid this would be to go to Yala.

[heiwa]

Why is it that so many announcements in Thailand are in fact a goal ,destination or end result which is impossible to achieve.

I'd rather see the announcement whereby they aim through strict police and traffic controls to reduce the number of casualties this year by 10%.

People die every day on Thai roads through combination of factors such as inexperienced drivers, poor car safety standards, poor roads, or stupididty and sheer bad luck.. how does she plan to combat these situations and miraculously convert songkran into a zero death period.

It's kind of like the "I'll bring happiness to Hat Yai" quote. It doesn't really matter if it happens. It's all about things sounding nice and positive. Perhaps they have a valid point. Better to believe in illusion than looking at reality until... And perhaps that's why I love Thailand so much. Everything feels so f... merry even if it isn't. It's like Christmas time all year round. It's wonderful. Rather than knock it we should be happy with it. I can live without reality thank you very much Sir. Edited April 11, 2012 by heiwa

[dean999]

You would of thought people in Thailand, especially Bangkok, would of had enough of water this year.

No, that was last year.

Was half asleep when i wrote that.

Should of said - You would of thought people in Thailand, especially Bangkok, would of had enough of water.

[Yunla]

Its the hub of null.

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed as well as the replies.

[anterian]

"during the period, the authorities will strictly enforce traffic laws and regulations and will focus drunk drivers, speeding and motorcyclists not wearing helmets."So after Songhkran you can resume drinking, speeding, jumping lights and not wearing helmets.

[how241]

"Ms Yingluck will chair a meeting to announce the government's policy to prevent road accidents and launch the "7 Days 77 Provinces" campaign at Government House to raise awareness among motorists to drive more carefully during Songkran."

Unbelievable, like the woman and her older brother. I'd say if motorists would drive more carefully all year long, it would make perfect sense to me.

. 7 days, 77 provinces and 777 hubs for any reasons....

oh come it . . its a start at least

Yes, they have to start somewhere.

[nickjam]

Whilst its lost some of its lustre for me, Songkran's still an awesome event that should be celebrated. I'd applaud any govt, action to reduce the deaths even though i agree the idea of zero causalities is pie in the sky. Whilst alcohol is the major problem for deaths and injuries, lets not forget the imbecilic locations in which people set up their parties and hurl buckets of water over motorbikes. Already in Chiang Rai today, they're starting their parties, stationed on fast highways, crests of bridges and on blind corners. I've got no problem someone pouring some water over me at low speed when I can see it coming, but chucking 10kg of water into my face when I'm doing 70km p/h or off camber is ludicrous.

[givenall]

'Zero Casualty',

Is this total optimize or total arrogant. I tent to think the latter. Even in the best days this in not possible

[siampolee]

Wonderful governance, here we are at the start of the Songkran stampede and the powers that be wake up and decide to act .

Proactive actions normally start a bit earlier than this in normal societies.

[transam]

Wonderful governance, here we are at the start of the Songkran stampede and the powers that be wake up and decide to act .

Proactive actions normally start a bit earlier than this in normal societies.

Yep, it's all crap talk. I understand LOS is going to be drug free too. Unfortunately the rest of the world reads about this stuff and laughs.

[kruangfaifar]

Think she forgot that first you must have a nationwide police force that works about what police should do.

Bear in mind that even with a supposedly incorrupt police force and hi tech enforcement tools around 40,000 people are killed in road accidents in the US every year which suggests that the only way to reduce road deaths to an acceptable level is to revert to horses and carts. That being said there is nothing wrong with taking steps to reduce road accidents as every little helps and just introducing the concept into people's thoughts is a first step.

[transam]

Think she forgot that first you must have a nationwide police force that works about what police should do.

Bear in mind that even with a supposedly incorrupt police force and hi tech enforcement tools around 40,000 people are killed in road accidents in the US every year which suggests that the only way to reduce road deaths to an acceptable level is to revert to horses and carts. That being said there is nothing wrong with taking steps to reduce road accidents as every little helps and just introducing the concept into people's thoughts is a first step.

But nobody in LOS obeys the THAI written road laws because the chances of meeting a cop doing the job he is paid for is virtually nil.

[metisdead]

A slanderous name calling post of the PM has been removed.

[lee68]

I've been out driving around Chiang mai today to get my shopping in,so i don't have to leave the soi for 5 days,All i can say is the madness has started,it was like driving in death race 2000 today,its always bad here,but you can feel the danger level has gone up about 50% today,ive never been cut up so many times on the same highway i drive on everyday,just absolute idiots on the road,and it will get worse tomorrow.I live on highway 118 the main road to chaing rai,and there are any number of shops selling booze down here,to pick ups fully loaded with Thais,to keep them well fueled up,so they can kill each other.Ive seen 15 songkrans here and the novelty wore out years ago,i just stock up and stay close to home now.

[NoshowJones]

Why not just ban Songkran. Not the actual holiday, but any kind of water throwing.

Yeah, I'm with you on that one. Songkran has long ceased to be fun.

If they do not want to ban the water throwing outright, then restrict it to certain designated 'wet' areas (ie: Sanam Luang, Khao San Road, etc.). But everywhere outside those wet areas is to remain dry.

You want wet, then head to a wet area and enjoy, but allow the rest of the city to go about it's daily business without the fear of being soaked without notice.

Very sensible post, but when were the Thais ever sensible?

[waza]

Sometimes Yingluck sounds just like a bimbo beauty contestant, next she will tell us she is working to promote world peace.

[hellodolly]

Why is it that so many announcements in Thailand are in fact a goal ,destination or end result which is impossible to achieve.

I'd rather see the announcement whereby they aim through strict police and traffic controls to reduce the number of casualties this year by 10%.

People die every day on Thai roads through combination of factors such as inexperienced drivers, poor car safety standards, poor roads, or stupididty and sheer bad luck.. how does she plan to combat these situations and miraculously convert songkran into a zero death period.

It's kind of like the "I'll bring happiness to Hat Yai" quote. It doesn't really matter if it happens. It's all about things sounding nice and positive. Perhaps they have a valid point. Better to believe in illusion than looking at reality until... And perhaps that's why I love Thailand so much. Everything feels so f... merry even if it isn't. It's like Christmas time all year round. It's wonderful. Rather than knock it we should be happy with it. I can live without reality thank you very much Sir.

You forgot the part about pretty lady smiling.

[hellodolly]

Think she forgot that first you must have a nationwide police force that works about what police should do.

Bear in mind that even with a supposedly incorrupt police force and hi tech enforcement tools around 40,000 people are killed in road accidents in the US every year which suggests that the only way to reduce road deaths to an acceptable level is to revert to horses and carts. That being said there is nothing wrong with taking steps to reduce road accidents as every little helps and just introducing the concept into people's thoughts is a first step.

But nobody in LOS obeys the THAI written road laws because the chances of meeting a cop doing the job he is paid for is virtually nil.

The number of deaths could be brought way down without cutting the number of accidents.

People tend to forget that emergency medical treatment is vitally important in the first hour after the accident.

Let's face it Thailand may be the hub for many things but defiantly one for getting to the scene of an accident and administering medical help. If the States had the same service they would be looking at 60,000 deaths a year.

[hellodolly]

Why not just ban Songkran. Not the actual holiday, but any kind of water throwing.

Yeah, I'm with you on that one. Songkran has long ceased to be fun.

If they do not want to ban the water throwing outright, then restrict it to certain designated 'wet' areas (ie: Sanam Luang, Khao San Road, etc.). But everywhere outside those wet areas is to remain dry.

You want wet, then head to a wet area and enjoy, but allow the rest of the city to go about it's daily business without the fear of being soaked without notice.

Very sensible post, but when were the Thais ever sensible?

With out notice.

The minute you walk out of your resident you should be on notice,

[rubl]

BANGKOK, April 11 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday will open a national road safety campaign for the upcoming Songkran Festival to urge motorists to be aware of safety concerns during the festive season.

In itself I really applaud this campaign. Pragmatically I'm afraid it's more like talking to the deaf.

Drink, don't drive or drive, don't drink, enjoy Songkhran and live to see another day

Edited April 11, 2012 by rubl

[PoodMaiDai]

In other pipe dream news... PM Yingluck to send a manned spaceship to Pluto by the end of 2012. Claims Thailand will have a full colony on the planet by March of 2013.

[webfact]

WATER FESTIVAL

PM launches 'Safe Songkran' campaign

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra launched the "Seven Days, 77 provinces, for a Safe Songkran 2012" project at Government House yesterday, as part of the campaign to cut down on road deaths during the April 11-17 holiday period.

Saying that road safety was part of the national agenda, Yingluck urged agencies to implement measures strictly so as to achieve the country's "Road Safety Decade" aiming to halve deaths from road accidents between 2011 and 2020.

The measures include having all tambon, districts and provinces find out which spots are most accident prone and how they can tackle the problem; ensuring that all motorcycle riders wear helmets; strictly implementing the Alcohol Beverage Control Act 2008 under which motorists refusing to test for alcohol will be registered as "drunk"; using speed-detection technology and controlling speed in community areas.

Deputy PM and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit presided over the opening of the Road Safety Centre, whose slogan of "Seven Dangerous Days" was changed to "Songkran Plodpai Tai Pen Soon" (Safe Songkran with Zero Deaths). Yingluck changed the slogan because it is "less frightening and campaigns for no deaths".

Urging motorists to follow traffic regulations, Yongyuth said the authorities hoped that more provinces would report no deaths this year. Last year, 10 provinces recorded zero fatalities during the holiday period.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police deputy chief for traffic Pol Lt-General Worasak Nopsittiporn said checkpoints would be set up all over Bangkok during the period to test motorists for drunk driving. In addition, alcohol tests will be conducted on all bus drivers at the three main bus terminals.

He warned that drunk drivers could face a year in jail and/or a fine ranging from Bt5,000 to Bt20,000 along with a six-month suspension and revocation of their licence. Drivers refusing to take alcohol tests could face charges of drunk driving, he added.

Senior police officer General Somyos Phumphanmuang, Transport Co executive Wutthichat Kalayanamit and 12 female traffic police officers handed out CDs with Songkran-related music to travellers at the Mor Chit Bus Terminal. The 12 policewomen also performed dance routines to entertain the travellers and remind them of road safety.

In related news, a Bangkok University poll revealed that 61.4 per cent of foreign tourists wanted to join Songkran celebrations, but 25.1 per cent were worried about their life and property, 23.4 per cent worried about traffic jams and 17.2 per cent were concerned about the situation getting violent. The most popular venues for foreigners were Bangkok's Khao San Road (14.7 per cent), Chiang Mai (14.2 per cent) and Pattaya (8.5 per cent).

In addition, 29.9 per cent of the tourists said that last year's flood crisis and this year's forest fires had the most impact on their decision to visit Thailand.

Meanwhile, several provinces started getting ready for Songkran. In Buri Ram, Newin Chidchob, a well-known politician and president of the Buri Ram United Football Club, will host a party on Friday and Saturday at the I-Mobile Stadium. The event will include a "foam party" and "Sexy DJs" as well as Japanese actress Sola Aoi and the Tokyo Feline dance crew.

Si Sa Ket's Muang district has installed water sprinklers along the 2-kilometre stretch of Khu Khan Road, while Phetchabun's Muang district has decorated the 10km stretch of Phetcharoen Road with corn to promote its "Khao Phod" (Corn Road) celebration.

Yesterday, the Culture Ministry launched its "Songkran Plod Coyote" (Songkran Free of Coyote Dancers) campaign and set up the 1765 hotline for people to file complaints of inappropriate behaviour, Culture Minister Sukumol Kunplome said.

Her comments came after she attended a ceremony yesterday when blessings were sought from 32 national artists and other distinguished personalities.

The ministry has also made 15 online Songkran greeting cards available at its www.culture.go.th website.

-- The Nation 2012-04-12

[khaowong1]

What was wrong with "Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran"?

zero accidents - should only miss the mark by about 300

Maybe this should fall into the same catagory as "there will be no flooding in Bangkok".

[sausageandmash]

For some unknown reason, my reply has been deleted, so I'll try again:

Why not just ban Songkran? I mean ban the water throwing, not the holiday.

In Australia, they banned Guy Fawkes night because there were too many deaths and injuries from foreworks.

[Payboy]

whose slogan of "Seven Dangerous Days" was changed to "Songkran Plodpai Tai Pen Soon" (Safe Songkran with Zero Deaths). Yingluck changed the slogan because it is "less frightening and campaigns for no deaths".

I feel much safer already.

[Buchholz]

What was wrong with "Seven Dangerous Days of Songkran"?

zero accidents - should only miss the mark by about 300

Maybe this should fall into the same catagory as "there will be no flooding in Bangkok".

coupled with:

Yingluck Pledges To Eradicate 80% Of Drugs Within One Year

.

[denishuahin]

Ok, let's not stop the fun but help some stupid or maybe just ignorant car and truck drivers and bike riders be seen! At each of 777 these money collecting station issues the police with a box of 10 baht bulbs and a screw driver and an on site voluntary mechanic to help. Stop anyone who's lights don't work give them the bulb and don't let them go until it works! one 10 baht bulb can save a life!

voluntary, help, 10 baht, screw driver, mechanic ok ok i'm dreaming i'm going back to bed!!!!!

[sausageandmash]

MOT certificates for all vehicles should be introduced into Thailand. For those on the other side of the Atlantic, an MOT is a test which vehicles must pass to prove roadworthiness.

The MOT test covers

• Lighting and Signalling Equipment
  
• Steering (including suspension)
  
• Brakes
  
• Tyres and Road Wheels
  
• Seat Belts
  
• Body, Structure and General Items
  
• Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions
  
• Drivers View of the Road
  

Ok, let's not stop the fun but help some stupid or maybe just ignorant car and truck drivers and bike riders be seen! At each of 777 these money collecting station issues the police with a box of 10 baht bulbs and a screw driver and an on site voluntary mechanic to help. Stop anyone who's lights don't work give them the bulb and don't let them go until it works! one 10 baht bulb can save a life!

voluntary, help, 10 baht, screw driver, mechanic ok ok i'm dreaming i'm going back to bed!!!!!

[Gonzo the Face]

Well, so far, so good,,,,,, The PM's Zero casualty program is off to a good start........ Did I just 30 deaths so far to apply to the zero casualty plan?? Less than a full day now >>>