Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has instructed authorities to accelerate the amendment of outdated laws to enhance road safety.
During her opening remarks at a road safety meeting on Monday, the Prime Minister referenced the tragic accident that occurred on October 1, which has prompted the government to reassess existing frameworks and regulations governing vehicle safety for passengers.
Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized the necessity for stricter law enforcement and called for discussions to explore ways to update laws and regulations to better ensure public transport safety.
Agencies, including the Ministries of Transport, Interior, Public Health, Social Development and Human Security, and Education, must play crucial roles in implementing their respective traffic safety laws.
Additionally, there have been proposals to introduce mandatory safety measures for buses, such as conducting pre-departure safety demonstrations akin to those seen on airplanes.
Ms. Paetongtarn pointed out that video clips with helpful tips for maintaining and operating emergency exit doors on buses have been shared on social media.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that road safety would be a key topic at an upcoming international forum, which will be chaired by Jean Todt, the UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, in Thailand in November. This forum will highlight transport safety measures. The Prime Minister has invited key agencies to share their insights on the matter and underscored the importance of private sector involvement in promoting safe travel.
She indicated that a workshop might be organized to facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors. Furthermore, she urged businesses to communicate the challenges they face regarding road safety and to seek appropriate solutions with government support.
Meanwhile, the Senate has reviewed an urgent motion concerning accident prevention, resolution, and relief following last week’s tragic bus fire during a student field trip, as raised by Senator Wuttichart Kalayanamitr, and will forward it to the cabinet for further consideration.
Senator Wuttichart stated that the tragedy has raised many questions about public transport safety standards, including concerns about the roadworthiness of vehicles and existing safety guidelines. Reports indicate that the bus involved was several decades old.
He stressed the necessity of providing emotional support to the families affected by the tragedy, asserting that such psychological assistance is equally important as determining the cause of the accident.
Senator Ratchaneekorn Thongthip expressed support for continuing school excursions to encourage out-of-classroom learning for young students, but reiterated the need for enhanced safety measures. He insisted that schools must take into account student age, travel distance, and overnight stays when planning such excursions.
