Ready for the Seven Days
Phuket police and disaster officials last week started gearing up for the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign for the New Year, which began on Wednesday (Dec 29).
Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Phinsuwan led a meeting joined by Udomporn Kan, Chief of the Phuket office of Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), at Phuket Provincial Hall on Friday (Dec 24) with leading figures from a host of local government offices in attendance.
The meeting was held to coordinate efforts and enable relevant agencies to take action on the prevention and reduction of road accidents effectively to reduce the loss of lives and property of the people in the “intensive period” of this year’s campaign, from Dec 29 to Jan 4, Vice Governor Amnuay said.
This year’s campaign began with the “pre-strict control period” from Dec 22-28, V/Gov Amnuay noted. The period is marked by heavy campaign for road safety, including campaigns against drunk driving.
The “intensified control period”, famed for its police checkpoints, will be from Dec 29-Jan 4, followed by a third period after the “intensive control” from Jan 5-11, he added.
“Throughout Phuket officers will set up main checkpoints and secondary checkpoints, as well as public service points, in order to reduce accidents during the Phuket New Year’s festival,” he said.
Meanwhile, Region 8 Police held an assembly at its headquarters at Tha Chatchai to reinforce the “Wear a helmet 100%” campaign to police officers across the island. Under the campaign, officers are to issue a warning only during an “interim period” until early next year, after which officers will start issuing fines.
Of note, police across Phuket have for years consistently fined foreigners for not wearing a helmet while riding a motorbike. The issue of Thai motorists not being fined has never been recognised by local police, other than general statements that police officers are not racist.
Phuket City Municipality launched its attempt to reduce road accidents over the New Year holidays with a campaign starting last Friday (Dec 24).
“This is the period when many people use road vehicles to travel back to their hometowns and just to travel,” Phuket City Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas said at the campaign launch event.
“As a result, there is a large number of vehicles that cause accidents, much higher than normal,” he added.
“All parties involved should realise the importance of preventing and solving road accidents and to promote and support the integrated plan of Phuket during the New Year’s festival to reduce road accidents to a minimum,” he said.
“By focusing on reducing risk factors from people, vehicles, roads and the environment, along with raising awareness of road safety among motorists and encouraging local government organisations to play a role in preventing and reducing road accidents according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act,” he continued.
Phuket City Police Chief Col Sarawut Chuprasit said that Phuket City Police have prepared all officers for the New Year holidays.
“The safety of the people is a major concern in Mueang Phuket [District], especially in this kind of economy under COVID-19, when people are suffering greatly, and the Phuket City Police will try to do their best,” he said.
“If there is any problem, you can inform the Phuket City Police, and they will make our brothers and sisters feel most comfortable,” he said in a video interview released on Friday.
“Everyone who travels in Phuket must strictly follow the orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If we all help each other, we can control this disease. It will be good for the overall picture of Phuket and Thailand,” he added.
“For safety, he would like all brothers and sisters to take care of themselves; people should be careful when traveling in isolated places. Police officers are already inspecting places where people go and have put in place strict security measures. There are CCTV cameras in Mueang District that will take care of everyone’s security in case of maximum safety when traveling to Phuket,” he assured.