Passenger van seat limits put in effect today

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) – The regulation on passenger van’s seat limit takes effect today to boost safety for passengers in a wake of van-related accidents. Under the new regulation, van capacity is limited to carry only 13 passengers, said Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, Sanit Promwong. Moreover, the space between the last row of seats and the boot must be at least 20cm wide to allow passengers to move to the exit at the boot in case of an accident. Passengers must be able to open the boot from the inside and a hammer must be available on board for passengers to break a window in case of an emergency. An "emergency exit" sign in red, which are clearly seen, must be placed above the vehicle's door or on the door's edge. From now on, violators will face fine, he said after the van operators have been given a lenient period to adjust their vehicles to comply with the new rules. (TNA)