Bangkok police have imposed a 10pm deadline for Songkran celebrations on Khao San Road to end tonight (Friday), instead of midnight.
Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, the deputy national police chief, said today that Khao San Road was crowded beyond its capacity last night.
Chana Songkhram police, who are responsible for the area, blocked the entrance to the scene of the celebrations from Ratchadamnoen Avenue last night shortly before 9pm, after they realised that the area was already overcrowded.
Pol Col Sanong Sangmanee, the police superintendent, ordered the early closure of the celebrations, fearing a stampede, similar to the one during Halloween celebrations in Seoul’s Itaewon district last October, in which at least 149 people died.
His announcement sparked resentment among revellers, who tried to force their way through the iron barricade. Police asked them to enter Khao San Road via other entry points.
Numerous revellers were seen being carried from the site of the celebrations by police and health workers after they had passed out due to the heat and crowding.
At about 11pm, police asked the event organisers to end the event and asked revellers to leave the scene.
Meanwhile, celebrations on Silom Road last night were ordered to end at 10pm by police and Bang Rak district officials and people were told go home. Some continued celebrating in the Silom Soi 4 area.
