Security authorities have been put on full alert for the New Year holiday and told to take no chances when it comes to public safety.
Two days before year's end Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has placed all security-related agencies on high alert to ensure public safety and instructed them to cooperate, officials said yesterday.
Defence spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit said military, police and civilian officials are monitoring the movements of suspected anti-government and other groups and taking preemptive measures, among a slew of other measures.
Authorities have also been urged to take extra precautions as criminal networks tend to move illicit drugs and contraband goods across land borders and between provinces at this time of year, when demand is high.
Apart from intensifying a crackdown on crime syndicates and influential figures, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have been told to strictly enforce laws and regulations to keep New Year revellers safe.
Lt Gen Kongcheep said Gen Prawit is also concerned about road safety and has ordered government agencies to strictly implement measures and traffic regulations to minimise accidents and casualties. Thailand was recently named the most dangerous country worldwide in terms of traffic accidents.
The public has been urged to take road safety precautions and alert authorities if they suspect or spot motorists acting in a way that puts other people's lives at risk, according to the spokesman.
Early this week, the city police said 20,000 officers would be deployed across the capital for the New Year countdown tomorrow night, especially at four key venues.
They are CentralWorld at Ratchaprasong intersection, Khao San Road off Ratchadamnoen Road, Asiatique on Charoen Krung Road and the Crystal Design Centre on Pradit Manutham Road.
CentralWorld is expected to be the most crowded venue with at least 125,000 revellers expected, up 25,000 from last year.
More than 20,000 security personnel will be deployed across the capital, including the four aforementioned venues and at 144 temples where Buddhist prayers are planned to be held.
First Army commander Lt Gen Kookiat Srinakha said there have been no threats of violence during the holiday and the security authorities are working around the clock to maintain safety and order.
Lt Gen Kookiat, also chief of the peace- keeping operation command, said both uniformed and plainclothes officers are being put on patrol 24 hours a day to ensure the holiday proceeds without incident.
A security source said tightened surveillance over the New Year is considered standard operating procedure and all groups, including those with political affiliations, are being closely watched.
According to the source, the latest security alert was issued on Dec 23 by Malaysia, which warned of possible violence in the region over the Christmas period by people with alleged links to the Islamic State terrorist group.
On Christmas Day a Malaysian national was arrested at an airport in Pakistan as he was about to board a Thai Airways International flight to Bangkok. Thai authorities insisted that the man was only expected to transit in the Thai capital en route to Malaysia.
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) also said yesterday no threats of violence had been issued.
CSD chief Pol Maj Gen Montri Chimcherd said the division plans to step up controls in public areas where revellers will gather in large numbers.
He said the CSD is also working closely with police in the deep South to monitor insurgent groups and gather intelligence.
Meanwhile, 41 people were killed and 500 others injured on Thursday, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said yesterday. Drink-driving was the leading cause.
