Free rides of mass public transport services offered to people in Bangkok

BANGKOK, December 27 (TNA) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in cooperation with relevant agencies, will offer free rides of mass public transport systems to people in the capital as a New Year gift. Bangkok Governor Police General Asawin Kwanmuang announced at a press conference, held on December 26, that people are welcome to travel by the sky train system, or the BTS service, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, in the city free of charges during the New Year Festival. The governor said that free ferry rides on the Phasi Charoen Canal will also be offered to the public during the New Year celebrations. For public security, the governor stated, meanwhile, that BMA will work together with combined forces of police, soldiers and volunteers to take care of locals and international tourists in the capital during the New Year Festival. The Bangkok governor noted that about 50,000 close circuit televisions (CCTVs) installed in areas across the city have also been checked and found their normal functions. However, the govenor asked people not to celebrate their New Year with firecrackers or fireworks for the sake of public safety, calling for entertainment venues to also strictly follow the laws, including their daily closing time, to maintain peace and order during the festivity. Besides, BMA will open service units at 15 sites in which drivers and their groups can have a stopover to refresh themselves and to have their cars checked for safety while travelling to and from privincial areas during their New Year holidays. (TNA)