Appeal for Songkran common sense
PHUKET: Phuket Province has issued its annual appeal for safety and common sense during the upcoming Songkran Festival and has set a target of keeping this year’s death toll from traffic accidents during the period to under six.
The province has set up a “Songkran Safety Center” at Phuket Provincial Hall to monitor the toll of dead and injured for the entire April 8-17 period. Last year’s death toll was three dead and 424 injured.
At a press conference at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday, Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura explained that this year’s higher target of no more than five dead and 611 injured reflected the rise in Phuket’s population over the past year.
Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police Pol Col Kokiat Wongvorachart said there will be eight 24-hour checkpoints and between 10 and 20 temporary checkpoints in operation until April 30.
The 24-hour checkpoints will be located at:
Muang District: On Wichit-Songkram Rd, in front of Surakul Stadium; on Thepkrasattri Rd, in front of the Muang Mai Volvo dealership; and on Chao Fa West Rd, in front of the Chao Fa Thani housing estate.
Thalang District: On Thepkrasattri Rd, near Srisuppalak Orchid Company; in front of Cherng Talay Police Station on Srisoonthorn Rd; and the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint.
Kathu District: On the Patong-Karon Rd, on the hill heading out of Karon; and at Thung Thong on Phra Barami Rd.
Police will be looking for perpetrators of the following infractions: drunk driving; driving without a license; failure to wear a seatbelt; riding a motorcycle without a helmet; speeding, and driving illegally modified vehicles.
Col Kokiat said accidents could be reported 24 hours a day to the hotline number at Tel: 1688.
In an earlier press release issued though the provincial Public Relations Department, Phuket City Police Superintendent Pol Col Paween Pongsirin said police would prosecute anyone found throwing water along public roads that have not been specifically designated as Songkran waterplay areas.
