Police
are out in force to ensure this weekend’s New Year’s celebrations on land
and at sea are safe for revelers.
Pratchaya Kerdthong
Police will be out in force on land and at sea to ensure
this weekend’s New Year’s celebrations are safe for revelers and successful
for Pattaya.
As tens of thousands descend on the city for the finale
of the Pattaya Countdown to 2011, Tourist Police will be stationed at
Central Festival Pattaya Beach, the entrance to Walking Street and at Bali
Hai Pier, the epicenter for the celebratory live music and fireworks.
Tourist Police Commander Lt. Col. Arun Promphan
acknowledged, however, that Pattaya’s force isn’t large enough to be
everywhere and said authorities need cooperation from the public to report
any suspicious activities.
Safety - and traffic - on the roads is also a concern,
with more than 100 accidents and three deaths reported during the New Year’s
period last year. Looking to beat last year’s 111 road-related injuries,
police are planning stricter traffic-control measures from Dec. 30 to Jan.
5.
A police checkpoint will be set up on Sukhumvit Road near
the Big C shopping center on South Pattaya Road to control traffic moving in
and out of the Walking Street and Bali Hai area.
Freight and fuel transport companies are also
participating in the safety effort, agreeing not to use Sukhumvit Road
during the holiday period to help cut the risk of major accidents.
Pattaya traffic inspectors noted the biggest safety risks
face motorbike drivers. Officers emphasized that bikers should take extra
care and adhere closely to traffic laws, especially those regarding helmets
and drunk driving.
Police actually hit the streets Dec. 27 for a walking
campaign to remind people about traffic and parking laws.
Highway drivers aren’t the only concern for police. The
city’s Marine Police are also stepping up precautions for the holiday
weekend.
Marine Police Chief Rewat Phoriam said boats will be
subject to checks to ensure they carry adequate numbers of life vests and
are not overloaded. Patrols will attempt to ensure operators use defined
lanes in and out of the Bali Hai harbor.
The marine force is equipped with three speedboats and
staffed by officers and more than 30 volunteers for the holiday period.
Beaches will be patrolled by boat and by officers on bicycles to ensure
safety, he said.
The Marine Police are also getting some cooperation from
private businesses.
Jomtien Beach water sports operator Chakrit Piewkliang
said jet ski vendors are telling customers to venture no more than 300
meters off short and to wear life vests at all times.
