Following what is known in Thailand as the “Seven Deadly Days” and the failure of the New Year road safety campaign, which saw road deaths and accidents increase by 25% from last year, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha vowed, in a bold statement, on Wednesday to rid the roads of Thailand from dangerous drivers and operators before the Songkran holiday.
Public transport has become the focus of a new crackdown. The prime minister warned rude and reckless drivers of passenger vans and buses along with their owners will receive harsh punishment over the next three months.
“Strict measures will be implemented for three months before the Songkran holiday,” Gen Prayut said after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. He urged everyone to cooperate in the interests of road safety.
The warning came after several deadly accidents happened over the New Year holiday period. Gen Prayut criticized overloaded minivans, adding that private vehicles carrying an excess of passengers would also be targeted.
The Transport Ministry have already been instructed to carry out his orders, proposing to the National Council for Peace and Order that it use Section 44 of the interim charter to increase fines and jail terms for public transport violators.
The Transport Ministry will wrap up the proposal and exercise Section 44, with increased punitive measures, by the end of January, Transport Minister Arkom Termpittayapaisith confirmed.
Source: Bangkok Post