BHP Deputy Director Dr.
Supakorn Winnawan and Banglamung Police Col. Suwith Sawaengmongkol
(center left and right), hoping for the best but preparing for the
worst, say they are ready for the inevitable annual Songkran road
carnage.
Warunya Thongrod
With Songkran celebrations kicking off this week, Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya and Sawang Boriboon Foundation are preparing for the inevitable
parade of people injured in vehicle accidents and water fights.
At an April 4 press conference, BHP Deputy Director Dr. Supakorn
Winnawan said the hospital’s trauma center would be fully staffed with
doctors and nurses specifically trained for emergency medicine. It had
prepared for the annual Thai New Year carnage by training staff to
handle the rampant car accidents that occur during April each year and
prepared a dedicated highway-transport service to speed the injured to
doctors quickly.
As part of the preparation, BHP organized 110 hours of emergency medical
training for hospital personnel and staff from the Sawang Boriboon
Foundation. The two organizations are working with Banglamung Police to
facilitate traffic road safety and emergency transport of the injured.
Banglamung Police Col. Suwith Sawaengmongkol urged the public to
cooperate with police and follow traffic rules during Songkran. He said
any roadside sellers of alcohol would be arrested. In addition to
arresting drunk drivers, police also plan to arrest drunk passengers.
Last year, BHP treated 65 people injured during Songkran, 13 of those
foreigners. Most were involved in alcohol-related driving accidents.
