Transportation along canal goes smoothly

BANGKOK, March 18 (TNA) -- Transporting passengers along Bangkok’s Khlong Saen Saeb canal during rush hours has become smooth after the Marine Department has joined hands with a private firm in improving safety measures for the passengers, said Sornsask Saensombat, director-general of the department. The accidents and passenger deaths while travelling by boats along the canal which passes through the heart of the capital are behind key reasons for the department to cooperate with the firm which run the passenger boat services in improving safety measures on Wednesday. Mr Sornsak said many passengers were stranded at piers on Wednesday, especially between 7.30am – 8.35am and again between 5.50pm - 6.35 pm. The problem was solved the next day when more empty boats were prepared to pick up the commuters. It is hoped that the service would become more efficient within a week, he said. In order to boost safety measures for passengers, the Marine Department has laid out several requirements including allowing passengers to stand only at reserved area which is at the stern of the boat, maximum speed of the boat at 20 kilometres per hour and installing closed circuit cameras at piers. (TNA)