The Royal Thai Police Bureau on Monday opened the road safety center, aiming to cut the number of deaths and injuries from road accidents during the Songkran holiday.

The opening of the operation center to prevent and reduce road accidents during the seven-day dangerous period of the Songkran holiday from April11-17 was presided over by the national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas.

The center targets to cut the number of deaths and injuries from road accidents by five per cent, compared to the figure recorded during the Songkran holidays three years ago.

Pol Gen Damrongsak said it was expected April 12-13 and April 16-17 would be the peak days for outbound and inbound traffic respectively.

The Royal Thai Police Bureau expected more cars on the roads during the Songkran Festival this year or up about 5-6 per cent.

Relevant agencies will facilitate motorists and ten wheelers are banned on several roads to reduce traffic during the Songkran mass exodus.

Special lanes will be opened to help ease traffic at congested areas.

Pick-up trucks, carrying Songkran revellers and water for water splashing are banned in Bangkok. Police checkpoints will be set up to enforce the ban.

The measures on water splashing from vehicles in other provinces vary depending on local authorities in each province

Source: Thai News Agency