Bangkok
Beware overcrowding and virus transmission – PM

Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says packed crowds in public spaces are a concern when it comes to the transmission of the Covid-19 virus. The Bangkok Posts reports that Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, says the PM wants to see more measures put in place to reduce overcrowding.
Just a few days ago, a delay on the BTS network led to crowds of Bangkok commuters standing at stations, with no possibility of physical distancing. The posts went viral.
Speaking to the Bangkok Post, BTS executive director Surapong Laoha-Unya says rush hour poses a challenge when stations are busy, and platforms are crowded. He says BTS employees worked with officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority yesterday to make sure there was adequate distance between passengers.
Mr Surapong says one option that could be looked at is staggered work hours, with some commuters travelling to work earlier than others. It would require companies to have different start and finish times for different employees. He also suggests having different days off for different groups.
Mr Surapong also added that the BTS train stations and carriages are cleaned regularly to help reduce the spread of the virus. There are currently 98 trains with 4 carriages in each servicing commuters.
Meanwhile, the director general of the Department of Rail Transport, Sorapong Paitoonphong, says passengers’ behaviour is being monitored on public transport and social distancing measures are being implemented to reduce the number of passengers in a carriage at any given time.
The Marine Department is also set to introduce additional safety measures, including running more boats at peak times for canal and river commuters.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Get more from The Thaiger
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

-
Central Thailand4 days ago
Cannabis vendor in central Thailand is making bank
-
Pattaya1 day ago
Foreign sex pest caught assaulting Thai beauty contestant
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
Thailand to be “post pandemic” this week, not endemic
-
Crime2 days ago
Thai man jailed for rape in London massage parlour
-
Central Thailand2 days ago
School director fired after allegedly covering up rape of 11 year old girl
-
China3 days ago
Boost to tourism industry as China resumes flights to Thailand
-
Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
Thai health officials ‘concerned’ about the international rise of Omicron BA4 and BA5 variants
-
Business3 days ago
Phuket’s Central Patong shopping mall plans reopening and recruitment drive
You must be logged in to post a comment Login