Bangkok sets security zones during Songkran Festival

[webfact]

Bangkok sets security zones during Songkran Festival

BANGKOK, 4 April 2014 (NNT) - Acting Bangkok Governor Dr. Pusadee Tamthai met with relevant agencies to discuss undertaking a zoning approach to ensure a safe Songkran Festival without alcohol. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will host Songkran activities in four leading areas including Silom Road, Khaosan Road, Soi Chokchai, and Utthayan Road.

There is a campaign to publicize the festival that will start on April 8 that will include via advertisements via billboards and brochures.

Police and municipal officials will be present at the water splashing zones and at refreshment shops in order to inform people about how to best avoid offensive behavior.

During the festival, the checkpoints into the zones will be strict and the municipal officials will patrol around the designated areas more often to prevent sexual harassment and other crimes.

Moreover, shop owners will be warned not to sell alcohol to youths aged below 20 years old. Such unlicensed shops will also be strictly prosecuted according to the law if they sell alcohol to those who cannot legally buy it.


-- NNT 2014-04-04

[Jimjim]

That reminds me...I've been groped without permission twice in my life, both times during songkran by Thai men.

[DLP]

To inform people on how best to avoid offensive behaviour. Stay indoors maybe !!!!!!

[millwall_fan]

Songkran drunk is fairly awful. Songkran sober would be intolerable! As for not selling booze to the under 18's. its the street vendors that do this and no-ones going to bother prosecuting them because they cant afford the fines. At least is sounds like Songkran in BKK will be restricted to 3 days and certain areas, unlike Chiang Mai where the mayhem was city-wide and went on for up to 6 days.

[lemerou]

At least is sounds like Songkran in BKK will be restricted to 3 days

Is it confirmed ?

Where can i find more information about this ? (especially the restricted place)

I so wish to avoir Songkran...

[jellydog]

When does the water madness start and end ?

[millwall_fan]

The 13th-15th are the the 'official' Songkran dates. In Chiang Mai they've started by the afternoon of the 11th making it a 5 day lock-down for anyone who doesn't want to participate. If its just Sun, Mon and Tue here, I can live with that. Especially if its 'zoned' to certain areas.

[JoeThePoster]

Bangkok sets security zones during Songkran Festival

Unfortunately, the security zones are all outside Thailand.