Authorities are vowing to create a safe atmosphere during the Loy Krathong festival this Sunday by reducing accidents caused by fireworks, celebrations and public transport.
Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt has told officials to ensure especially that there are "zero accidents" on buses and trains. Meanwhile, national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew said he will take strict legal action against revellers who use fireworks and firecrackers recklessly.
The Transport Ministry yesterday launched a range of safety measures, such as controlling the number of floating lanterns near airports, to barring boats from running on the Saen Sap canal after 6pm on Sunday, and restricting the number of people on each pier to 40.
Officials say the lanterns can cause disruptions in aviation zones, while excessive numbers of people waiting on piers in order to float their krathong - floats containing a candle, joss sticks and flowers - could lead to the piers collapsing.
Mr Chadchart also wants officials to offer enough services on planes, trains and inter-provincial and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)-run buses for travellers over the festival, though some may have to negotiate the anti-government protests under way.
"The BMTA has to carefully manage their bus routes especially those near rally venues on Ratchadamnoen Avenue," he said.
Pol Gen Adul has ordered all police agencies to warn the public against playing with fireworks and firecrackers in ways that disturb others and result in damage, deputy police spokeswoman Witchayakon Nichabawon said yesterday.
Meanwhile, police on Wednesday arrested 13 drug suspects and seized 370 speed pills and five grammes of crystal methamphetamine in Ratchanikun community in Nakhon Ratchasima's Muang district under a fresh campaign to crack down on the drug trade during the Loy Krathong festival.