Deputy national police chief Wirachai Songmetta has come up with a long list of do’s and don’t’s for this year’s Songkran celebration.
If the Thai people follow suit it will make for a safe and enjoyable festival to herald in the traditional Thai New Year.
Top of the don’t list was molesting women such as by groping breasts. He said that anyone who does could face up to ten years behind bars or a fine of 200,000 baht or both.
People selling alcohol to minors (under 20s) could see themselves jailed for a year and fined 20,000 baht.
In serious cases drink driving could warrant a jail term of between one and five years and fines between 20,000 and 100,000 baht with suspension or removal of licenses for good.
But it was Pol Gen Wirachai’s do’s and don’t’s for road safety that took centre stage as the country once again gears up for the inevitable carnage.
Here is his 11 point plan for road users:
- Don’t speed
- Don’t go against the flow of traffic
- Do wait at red lights
- Don’t drive while sleepy
- Do wear seat belts
- Do have a license
- Don’t overtake in congested areas
- Don’t drink and drive
- Do wear a helmet on a motorcycle
- Do use motorcycles safely
- Don’t use a phone while driving.
Pol Gen Wirachai had one more message before signing off at police HQ yesterday:
“Have fun at Thai New Year folks!”
Times comment:- They never manage to get it quite right do they? Whilst no woman should be subjected to sexual harassment at any time, it doesn’t seem quite right that the punishment is more severe than a case of serious drink driving. Presumably, serious means causing death or injury.
The general’s eleven point plan is to be lauded. However, if get a licence was added and follow this guide EVERY day was added, it would be far more credible.
(Source:-Thairath)