Throngs of New Year revelers start leaving Bangkok

AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND, December 27 (TNA) - People have started leaving Bangkok for their New Year celebrations in the upcountry, causing traffic congestion, for instance, on the outbound of Paholyothin Road toward the Thai North and Northeast since early Saturday (Dec 27) morning, particularly near the Ayutthaya's highway police reported that traffic has started to accumulate in Klong Luang area on the outskirts of Bangkok, all the way through to Nawanakorn, Pra Tu Nam Phra In, Bang Pa-in Ring Road and into Ayutthaya's Wang Noi area. The police said, however, once commuters passed the 50th kilometre-mark into Wang Noi, those wishing to travel to the northeastern region should find smoother traffic. The highway police stated that more traffic police officers have been deployed at the Bang Pa-in Ring Road to facilitate traffic, as a special lane there has not yet been opened, noting that the current traffic remains manageable. Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Dr. Rajata Rajatanavin has ordered state-run hospitals nationwide to stay on alert, as holidaymakers have started leaving for their hometowns or tourist destinations to enjoy a five-day New Year holidays, from the New Year’s Eve to January 4, 2015. The public health minister suggested, while inspecting New Year preparations made by hospitals in the eastern resort Chon Buri Province, that people who need medical help call his ministry's hotline number 1669 round-the-clock free of charges and they need not pay medical fees because they are sponsored by the government. Dr. Nopporn Cheunklin, Deputy Director-General of the ministry’s Department of Disease Control, advised holidaymakers to avoid consuming alcohol at least one day before making a journey and medicines which may cause drowsiness. Besides, holidaymakers should wear safety belt and to strictly follow traffic rules. According to official statistics, there were a total of 3,174 road accidents, with 366 fatalities and 3,345 injuries during the 2014 New Year’s holidays. (TNA)