Phuket Songkran ‘Seven Days of Danger’ road safety campaign announced

PHUKET: The Interior Ministry has set the “target number” of Phuket road accident deaths at two for the upcoming Songkran Festival, during which police will be under orders to strictly enforce provisions in the Alcohol Control Act.

San Jantrawong, who heads the Phuket Office of the Departent of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), said the Interior Ministry’s national Road Safety Center has designated the period from April 11 to 17 as this year’s ‘Seven Days of Danger’ road safety campaign.

The “target limit” of deaths over the period is calculated at five per cent below the number of deaths over the same period last year.

The same formula was applied to calculate the target numbers for road accidents requiring admittance to hospital (61) and the total number of accidents reported (57).

In areas designated as Songkran waterplay zones, the sale of alcohol will be strictly forbidden, Mr San said.

Residents and tourists alike are advised to protect themselves from infection for a variety of microbial diseases often associated with Songkran, including influenza, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, diarrhea and the common cold, he said.

Songkran revelers are also advised to protect themselves from heat stroke.

As in years past, an island-wide network of police checkpoints will be established in key locations to stop motorists and inspect for a variety of infractions that range from failure to wear a seat belt to driving under the influence of alcohol.

The locations of the 11 primary checkpoints are little changed from prior years:

Muang District:

Rassada: Thepkrasattri Road, in front of the Muang Mai building

Chalong: Chao Fa East Road, at Talad Mai Moom Muang

Karon: Patong-Karon Road, in front of the Ramada Resort

Wichit: Chao Fa West Road, in front of the Chaofah Thani Shell Station

Kathu District:

Patong: Sirirat Road, near Simon Cabaret

Patong: Kalim Intersection

Kathu: Phra Barami Rd, in front the Thung Thong Police Station

Kamala: Kamala-Patong Road in front of Phuket FantaSea

Thalang District:

Tambon Srisoonthorn: Thepkrasattri Road, near the Heroines Monument

Cherng Talay: Srisoonthorn Road, in front of the Cherng Talay Municipality offices

Mai Khao: Thachatchai Checkpoint

— Samaporn Janyanon