Mr. Social Order, Purachai, Is Back

[sriracha john]

Venues outside late zones 'must close at midnight'

Purachai insists Social Order must be enforced, with no exception for Xmas

Former interior minister Purachai Piumsombun, whose strict Social Order policy several years ago was widely welcomed - and opposed, warned yesterday that many new night entertainment venues were operating illegally outside permitted areas.

Purachai, now chairman of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA)'s panel on justice, police affairs and human rights, called on the Surayud government to strictly enforce the zoning policy, which allows venues to operate in only three areas in Bangkok - Ratchadaphisek, Phetburi and Patpong.

He said a large number of pubs, nightclubs, plus restaurants and food gardens where music is played for customers, now operate freely along Phaholyothin and Nawamin Roads.

But any place that sold alcohol after midnight - outside the three late-night zones - was regarded as unlawful.

During his time as minister in an early Thaksin cabinet, Purachai allowed these venues to open all night only on New Year's Eve (Dec 31 into Jan 1). No exception was allowed on other special nights including Christmas. And Purachai said he expected this policy to still be enforced this year.

Speaking at a seminar on road safety campaigns during the New Year holiday period, Purachai said he may need to submit an urgent motion to the government if it failed to strictly enforce the Social Order policy - which is now in effect as a ministerial regulation.

Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla said the number of casualties from road accidents during the four-day break starting from December 30 would be reported at the actual rates.

All hospitals will begin collecting information starting from midnight December 29 to midnight January 3.

Emergency medical service teams from all major hospitals would be put on standby and required to arrive at accident scenes within 10 minutes.

The ministry would refocus their attention and monitoring activities from major roads to branch roads, where the tendency for accidents was higher, given statistical reports last year.

Permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongwirot said a total of 4,000 first-aid teams would be re-equipped and surgeons and emergency medical staff at state hospitals had been asked to not take any days off during the period.

Motorcycles contributed to 86 per cent of the 434 deaths and 4,772 injuries last year, he said. Of the injured motorcyclists, 61 per cent were under 15 and 28 per cent of those under 15 did not have a driver's licence or wear a safety helmet.

Bangkok police chief Wiroj Chantharangsee said 200 traffic checkpoints would be set up throughout Bangkok on December 29. All up, some 20,000 officers from all 88 police precincts in the capital would man 376 checkpoints over the four-day period, from 4pm to 2am to deter crime and accidents.

- The Nation

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Pure-a-chai...

[kmart]

A lot of the middle-class Thai "smart set" love this guy for some reason.

Is there a Thai word for "hypocrisy?" The guy's entourage drives past 15 blocks of brothels in Bkk on the way to point his finger at some farang-owned gogo in Pattaya. Smug ######.

[Ulysses G.]

Is there a Thai word for "hypocrisy?" The guy's entourage drives past 15 blocks of brothels in Bkk on the way to point his finger at some farang-owned gogo in Pattaya. Smug ######.

REALLY!

[meadish_sweetball]

Is there a Thai word for "hypocrisy?"

Try กรุณาตีก้นผมหน่อย

[Sunny Valentine]

I thought he emigrated to New Zealand a Year ago?

Well, maybe he did not like the Visa rules for foreigners there?

Sunny

[Little Black Duck]

Minister Puritanical Strikes from the Deep, Dark, Depths of the Past..

[Aussietraveller]

434 deaths and 4,772 injuries last year

Surely they cannot seroiusly expect people to believe this.

The next news headline will be:

"Thailand leads the world in Road Safety"

All of those happily employed people getting to work in a safe and orderly manner.....

[Wolfie]

The next news headline will be:

"Thailand leads the world in Road Safety"

Thailand - the Hub of Road Safety!

Interestingly the road block/checks will operate from 4pm to 2am - so just stay for that extra beer at the end of the night and go home at 2:30? hehe

[britmaveric]

He's a joke, and we all love to laff at Christmas!!!

[HenryB]

A lot of the middle-class Thai "smart set" love this guy for some reason.

Is there a Thai word for "hypocrisy?" The guy's entourage drives past 15 blocks of brothels in Bkk on the way to point his finger at some farang-owned gogo in Pattaya. Smug ######.

I like what he says. We need more social order in Thailand. I hope he gets all he wants