Thai Police want safe, sober Loy Krathong

[webfact]

Police want safe, sober Loy Krathong
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police have imposed strict limits on people's usage of fireworks during the November 16-18 Loy Krathong Festival. Also, Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt wants to keep the number of accidents involving public transport vehicles at zero, with no injuries or deaths, during this year's festival.

Chadchart said the ministry had set up a road-safety centre for this festival and opened a hotline - 1356 - for public inquiries. He also hoped the public transport drivers' alcohol blood tests would not detect any drunk drivers.

Police spokesperson Pol Maj-General Piya Uthayo warned that business owners who don't have Interior Ministry permission to sell fireworks could face a one-month jail term and/or a Bt1,000 fine. Those carelessly lighting fireworks and causing damage to others risked up to seven years in prison and/or Bt14,000 in fines.

Chiang Mai City deputy clerk Sruamchai Meesomsak said they were campaigning for restrictions on alcohol sales to prevent liquor-induced fighting and to promote tourists' safety. City officials are also checking on shops to prevent the sale of giant firecrackers. Some 400 police, uniformed and plain-clothed, and volunteers, would be on hand to provide security on a daily basis.


-- The Nation 2013-11-14

[clockman]

Just dreaming!

[Bluespunk]

"Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt wants to keep the number of accidents involving public transport vehicles at zero, with no injuries or deaths, during this year's festival."

He must know this just not possible. There's always accidents. Why set such ridiculously unattainable targets? Why set targets as all? A proper campaign of safety weeks before the event would be more effective than threats of gaol and fines 48 hours before it begins. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[casindonet]

Safe & sober? Are those words even in their dictionary?

[twinpin]

It would be nice. But we all know it's not going to happen. Another dream

[coma]

The country is " in mourning " so it should be a quite sober Loy Krathong indeed.

[jaltsc]

"Chadchart said the ministry had set up a road-safety centre for this festival and opened a hotline - 1356 - for public inquiries. He also hoped the public transport drivers' alcohol blood tests would not detect any drunk drivers."

Perhaps if they did this throughout the year and actually enforced all the aforementioned regulations, there wouldn't be a need to target specific holidays. However, this is the time that there is an increase of foreign tourists, so this dog and pony act is probably to make tourists feel safer and spend more money on alcohol and bar girls.Nothing changes if nothing changes.

[CelticBhoy]

"Police want safe, sober Loy Krathong"

Have they always been drunk in previous years then?

[soi41]

"Chadchart said the ministry had set up a road-safety centre for this festival and opened a hotline - 1356 - for public inquiries. He also hoped the public transport drivers' alcohol blood tests would not detect any drunk drivers."

. .

Coming from this guy, why are we not surprised??

The honourable Minister of Transport Khun Chadchart!

Only surprise here, is that he actually managed to string a sentence together!

[HeavyDrinker]

Rummy!! Seems more like the Maj Gen is taking a golden chance to puff out the old chest and remind his bosses he's still around....

Loy Krathong isn't really a "drinker" like New Year, Songers etc....

[socksy01]

What's that little round Pink thing with a curly tail and grunting that just flew past me?

[WhoCares07]

When is actual Loy Krathong?

Edited November 14, 2013 by WhoCares07

[BlackArtemis]

And I want a pony that poops diamonds.

[Gone]

I think it is good that his target is 0.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Loy Krathong !

[mca]

Police want safe, sober Loy Krathong

So they're going to hold it in the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca this year. They're only advice is leave the moo ping at home.

[richard_smith237]

"Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt wants to keep the number of accidents involving public transport vehicles at zero, with no injuries or deaths, during this year's festival."

He must know this just not possible. There's always accidents. Why set such ridiculously unattainable targets? Why set targets as all? A proper campaign of safety weeks before the event would be more effective than threats of gaol and fines 48 hours before it begins. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Its an extremely difficult subject to 'soundbite' without ether facing criticism for being unrealistic or uncaring. Perhaps to him no death is acceptable...

While of course it is unrealistic to suggest a 'death free' period... it would also seem quite inhumane to suggest that 100 deaths are acceptable...

This transport minster appears to be making the best of efforts to make improvements, definitely a step in the right direction.

There are also those who will criticise anything anyone in the public eye does, which is fair enough. However, it does appear as though this guy appears to be actually doing something. As slow as the process of improvement may be, implementing change without ruffling up the feathers of others and getting himself fired is the way its done in Thailand (as bad and as slow as that is).

I agree with your comments of campaigning for safety.

I'd even go as far and suggest these campaigns should be on TV, along with not just the wrong things to do, but also the right way to drive...

A series of well aimed infomercials at peak times (between the soaps) could have the greatest exposure.

Place on the face issue, publicly question the intelligence of drivers without seat-belts / speeding / drinking driving etc...

[ginjag]

I always understood the festival to be on the full moon, ON THAT DAY. now all of a sudden it is on 16 17 18---maybe next year it will be 4 days and 5 days the year after.

Song khran April is now into 2 weeks in places, do they ever stop. are they never satisfied with the holiday.??? want more springs to mind.

All for the excuse for a general Pi#s up and grown ups fireworks.

Grow up Thailand, really enjoy your traditions and culture, why over do it ???

[rebelplatoon]

Oh, and no more water throwing during Songkran!

[DocN]

Police want safe, sober Loy Krathong

Okay...I recommend they stop drinking, then!

[webfact]

Police remind people not to violate laws on fireworks during Loi Krathong

BANGKOK, 14 November 2013 (NNT) – The national police office asserted it will be tough on sales and usage of fireworks during the Loi Krathong festival.

Royal Thai Police spokesman Piya Uthayo said on Wednesday the police were concerned about the use of fireworks during the festive period, and it would like to remind sellers and makers of fireworks they need to have permits from the Ministry of Interior to do so. Those operating without permits are subject to 1 month imprisonment, a maximum of 1,000 baht fine, or both.

People who use fireworks or firecrackers in manners that cause damage to public or personal properties will be subject to a maximum prison term of 7 years and a maximum fine of 14,000 baht. Parents of child offenders will also charged.


-- NNT 2013-11-14

[ridkun]

I doubt this would happen in any festival in the world at all.

[harber8]

The people here want an honest police force but that aint gonna happen .

In fact, if the police were more honest and less corrupt this would rub off on the nation and they would find less problems in society and DEFINATELY less deaths and accidents during these Thai celebrations.

Let's face it, people do illegal things and die because the cops turn a blind eye on there actions.

All very simple. Too simple for Thais.

[Thaddeus]

I doubt this would happen in any festival in the world at all.

But this is Thailand, this is what Royal Thai Police spokesman Piya Uthayo wants, and that is what will happen.

Ignore all those pesky little reports in the news that say otherwise after the event, they never happened.

Lift carpet, use brush, make the same statement next year.

Edited November 14, 2013 by Thaddeus

[tfc]

And I want a pony that poops diamonds.

And if you send me only 100,000 US dollars by Western Union it shall be yours!

[sabaii69]

more tickets to motorbikes should eliminate the problems. Yeah, let's set up a roadblock on Sukhumvit to catch these folks. Not one car/truck/bus driver bothered by last one.

[rametindallas]

Thai Police want safe, sober Loy Krathong

People in Hell want ice water

[rametindallas]

Seriously, if the police want a safe, sober Loy Krathong, then they need to enforce the traffic laws evenly and all year 'round to get the driving public to begin to respect the law. In my experience, Thais police themselves much more than the BiB.

[Redhawk]

My comment as always, do not talk to the press when intoxicated! Another one suffering from nightmares!

[BlackArtemis]

And I want a pony that poops diamonds.

And if you send me only 100,000 US dollars by Western Union it shall be yours!

Send the details in PM kind sir!

[Jim walker]

the number of accidents involving public transport vehicles at zero, with no injuries or deaths, IN your wildest dreams I think.