Bangkok ramps up Songkran safety with AI and ‘Five-No’ rule
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has extended an invitation to the public for Songkran celebrations on Silom and Khao San roads from tomorrow, April 12, to Monday, April 14, with assurances of safety measures implemented throughout the city.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has established thorough safety protocols for all Songkran venues, including entrance checkpoints and CCTV installations, to ensure public safety.
In popular areas like Khao San and Silom, last year’s safety measures will be reinforced with one-way entrances and police presence at gates and checkpoints.
Chadchart mentioned that Khao San Road will have increased surveillance using artificial intelligence, including facial recognition and crowd analysis via CCTV to aid in finding missing persons and lost items.
Referring to the recent earthquake on March 28, the 58 year old city governor highlighted this year’s Songkran as a chance for Bangkok to demonstrate its public safety readiness.
Despite the holiday, BMA teams will continue rescue operations at the collapsed State Audit Office building in Chatuchak district.
Bang Rak district chief Pornpan Wattanasin announced the closure of Silom Road from Sala Daeng to Nararom Intersection from 1pm to 9pm daily for Songkran celebrations between April 12 and 14. The closure covers the stretch from Rama IV Road to Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road.
She stressed that street vendors are banned from operating on the footpaths, cautioning them against believing otherwise. Violators will face legal action under the 1992 Act on the Maintenance of the Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon stated that the BMA has designated 196 locations for Songkran celebrations. Notable events include the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025 at Sanam Luang and festivities at Iconsiam, Siam Center, and Samyan Mitrtown.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable festival, the BMA has introduced a “Five-No” policy: no oversized water guns, no alcohol, no revealing clothing, no talcum powder, and no water waste.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra officiated the opening ceremony of King Power Rangnam’s Songkran Festival, urging Thais to leverage the festival as a soft power platform to enhance the nation’s economic potential, reported Bangkok Post.
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