The Interior Ministry will implement a plan to improve road safety throughout the Songkran festival holiday, which falls in the middle of next month.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, who also serves as the chairman of the Road Safety Centre, said that close inter-agency cooperation has been ordered in order to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities, which tend to spike during holiday periods.
Unlike in 2018, the Songkran holiday period will span five days this year, after the cabinet declared April 12 and 16 public holidays to substitute for the Songkran days that fall overthe weekend.
Yesterday, Gen Anupong said preparations are divided into three components. The first involves a public relations campaign to educate motorists and other road users about road rules, which will run from March 11 until April 17.
The second component will see various activities set up to increase the general public's awareness on the importance of obeying traffic laws. The final component will focus on enforcing traffic laws during the "seven dangerous days" between April 11-17.
Gen Anupong said other measures will be put in place to improve driving conditions and provide prompt assistance to holidaymakers involved in road accidents during the festival.
He added that safety tips for travellers regarding water will also be issued.
