BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Minister of Transport Manaporn Charoensri has formally responded to a sexual harassment complaint involving an incident on a public bus. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) conducted an investigation and confirmed that a male passenger had engaged in inappropriate behavior toward another passenger seated beside him. Onboard staff acted by relocating the victim to a safer seat and advising them to file a police report.
Following the investigation, Manaporn directed the DLT and the bus operator to provide full support to the victim in filing a police report, ensuring that legal proceedings against the offender are initiated. She also mandated strict compliance with sexual harassment response protocols for buses under the Transport Company. These protocols include immediate intervention to protect victims and rerouting buses to the nearest police station for prompt reporting of such incidents.
To prevent recurrence, bus operators have been instructed to enforce disciplinary measures against offenders and implement robust safety protocols. Ensuring legal accountability for perpetrators remains a key priority, accompanied by enhanced monitoring and oversight of public transport services to maintain compliance with safety standards.
Manaporn affirmed that transport authorities and operators are now working together to implement further comprehensive measures to enhance public confidence in the safety and reliability of the nation’s transportation network. (NNT)
