Free auto check-ups offered to Songkran travellers in Thailand

BANGKOK, March 11 (TNA) - The Department of Land Transport, under the Thai Ministry of Transport, has announced a free auto check-up service for travellers across Thailand during the Songkran Festival next month. The department's Acting Director-General Kamol Buranapong made the announcement in Bangkok on Monday, saying that his department, in cooperation with over 30 partners, will provide the free check-up service for all types of automobiles and motorcycles during March 15-April 17. "The Department of Land Transport will work together in an integrated manner with over 30 partners, including auto manufacturers and their sale agents, as well as standard garages of insurance companies and fuel production and sale companies, to launch the activity, free of charges, for travellers of this year's Songkran or Traditional Thai New Year Festival", Kamol told journalists. The senior official stated that over 2,300 sites for the free auto check-up service will be opened nationwide during the over one-month period, suggesting that motorists observe the authorized sign of "free auto check-ups, safe rides" for their participation in and benefit from the activity. Besides, the Department of Land Transport will financilly sponsor a volunteer project, to be launched by the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, under which vocational students will open 189 check points along main roads or highways nationwide to provide primary auto check-up and urgent fixing services to motorists of all types of vehicles during April 11-17. Based on the Thai government's recent announcement, this year's Songkran or Traditional Thai New Year holidays have been officially set from April 12 to April 17. (TNA)