Police Chief Orders Tight Security In Bangkok

Police chief orders tight security in capital
The Nation
BANGKOK: --National police chief Pol General Priewphan Damapong sent an urgent fax to all relevant police bureaux to boost security and adopt aggressive measures to ensure safety in the capital during Songkran.

The fax said that since terrorism was a threat in many parts of the world and as the Valentine's Day explosions had affected the safety of Bangkok residents, the police needed to adopt strict measures in ensuring people's safety during Songkran, when many foreigners are expected to visit the Kingdom.

The Police Special Branch Division was told to coordinate with embassies and consulates as well as with the police stations in the area. All highrises also need to be checked to prevent sharpshooters from targeting embassies. The police force has also been ordered to patrol religious sites, tourist destinations, restaurants and other crowded areas.

In addition, the Immigration Bureau has been instructed to closely inspect foreigners who enter the Kingdom, especially people from countries that have terrorist links, while the Border Patrol Police Bureau has been told to have their ordnance disposal teams on standby.

Commanders and their deputies need to be on hand, especially at night, and provide reports to the Royal Thai Police Bureau in case of emergencies.

Meanwhile, Khao San Road, which is a popular venue among tourists during Songkran, is expected to be chocabloc with revellers, especially since each and every one of the 700 hotel rooms in the area has been booked, Piyabut Jivoramonaiyakul, president of the Khao San Business Association, said.

He added that about Bt10 million should be generated daily during Songkran celebrations, which will officially be launched on Thursday by HRH Princess Somsavali and come to an end next Sunday.

An Assumption University poll showed that 55 per cent of the 1,217 respondents were planning to leave Bangkok, of whom 40 per cent would take their own vehicles, 33 per cent would opt for public buses, 7 per cent will go for public vans and 6 per cent for trains.

Meanwhile, a dozen female police officers did a little dance performance at Ratchaprasong intersection yesterday as part of their accidentprevention campaign. Clips of the impromptu show will also be posted on Facebook and YouTube.

In addition, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority is planning to provide icecold drinking water to passengers at major bus terminals in Bangkok on Wednesday and Thursday. Drinking water will also be provided to revellers in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district and in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district.

In Ayutthaya, the authorities are busy building a scaleddown version of historic structures inside a park in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district. The park will be open to revellers during Songkran.


-- The Nation 2012-04-07