PM assures public of safety during Songkran festival

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she has ordered concerned authorities to intensify security measures to guarantee public safety over Thai New Year or Songkran Festival, which officially begin on April 13. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Yingluck said that the National Intelligence Agency and the Royal Thai Police Office are conducting their intelligence operations to ensure public safety, noting that so far there have been no signs or reports of any untoward incident. Yingluck said she has also instructed all ministries to strictly impose traffic rules and punish violators including drunk drivers, and speedy drivers, in order to ensure traffic safety during the Songkran festival. The State Railway of Thailand and Transport Co. would provide stranded travelers with extra transportation services to help them get back to their hometown to celebrate the New Year, she added. In Hat Yai district of Songkhla province, security authorities and defence volunteers, meanwhile, set up checkpoints to search vehicles entering the heart of the district to prevent any untoward incident. Over 1,300 officials have been deployed at 47 checkpoints throughout the district to search suspicious cars and motorcycles especially those with teenage drivers. The tight security measures do not affect tourism but rather will help local people and tourists feel safe. (TNA)