Bangkok: Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has implemented stringent measures to ensure the smooth running of the Songkran Festival, emphasizing traffic management and safety regulations. The governor, along with Dr. Wanthanee Wattana, Permanent Secretary of Bangkok, and Pol. Gen. Adit Ngamjitsuksri, Advisor to the Governor, conducted an inspection at the Bangkok Incident Command Center during the Songkran Festival 2025. The meeting took place at the Suthat Room, Bangkok City Hall, where they reviewed the festival’s progress and laid out specific directives.
According to Thai News Agency, the governor’s orders include coordinating with various district directors and the Metropolitan Police Bureau to tackle traffic congestion and enforce safety measures. The Director of Don Mueang District was tasked with working alongside the MPB to address traffic issues in Soi Wat Weluwanaram, with the requirement to provide hourly updates, complete with photographs and video evidence, to the EOC Center.
Additionally, the Thawi Watthana District Director has been instructed to collaborate with local police to manage traffic along Khlong Thawi Watthana and regulate water activities from pickup trucks, ensuring compliance with the Public Health Act. The Lat Phrao District Director must also report traffic conditions in Soi Chokchai 4 hourly, supported by visual documentation.
The Traffic and Transportation Department has been assigned to retrieve CCTV footage from police stations in the affected areas to aid in monitoring and managing the situation. Furthermore, the Phra Nakhon District Office has been directed to address sidewalk trading around Sanam Luang, with municipal officers patrolling the area continuously.
The governor also mandated action against unauthorized fireworks and loud noises at a concert in the Huai Khwang area, stressing the importance of using this incident as a learning point for future events. Moreover, the Pathumwan District Office has been tasked with resolving traffic issues in front of Central World, especially concerning pedestrian road use.
In the case of malfunctioning CCTV cameras, the NBTC has been instructed to carry out prompt repairs and adjust camera angles to ensure optimal surveillance of sidewalks and road surfaces. The governor emphasized the necessity for the EOC Center to continuously analyze the situation and issue directives on an hourly basis to ensure the festival proceeds smoothly.