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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
National

BMA to increase festival security

Commuters cross a jetty at Ratchawong pier in Bangkok’s Samphanthawong district. The pier on the Chao Phraya River is popular for residents floating their ‘krathong’ on Loy Krathong Day, which this year falls on Nov 8. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to tighten safety measures at public areas during this year's Loy Krathong festival.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced the plan on Monday, following the tragedy in Seoul's Itaewon district last week which claimed at least 154 lives.

This year, Loy Krathong celebrations will be organised at Klong Ong Ang on Nov 8. Similar celebrations will be held at 31 public parks across Bangkok, as well as a number of historical sites in the capital.

Loy Krathong celebrations generally draw large crowds.

Mr Chadchart said he has ordered deputy Bangkok governors and all district office chiefs across Bangkok to come up with plans to ensure public safety.

"Festival organisers have been told to prevent overcrowding at their venues. The BMA will come up with the strictest possible measure to prevent [a crowd surge]."

The governor saidauthorities are more worried about people falling into rivers or other waterways, rather than a crowd surge.

When asked what the public can do to prevent fatalities at crowded events in the future, Mr Chadchart said schools should teach students cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 

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