Bangkok traffic police ordered to find ‘safe refuges' for motorists when roads flood
Traffic police from 88 police stations in Bangkok have been instructed to look for places where motorists can escape flooded roads and wait until the situation improves, a police source said.
The source said Pol Lt Gen Kraiboon Suadsong, chairman of the committee in charge of solving traffic congestion in Bangkok, gave the order after roads in the capital were hit with a massive traffic gridlock on June 7 following heavy rain. Many motorists were trapped in their cars for hours.
The source said the 88 police stations had been ordered to be on standby for similar flooding incidents and police must be ready to move in to block flooded roads and to set up operation centres with tow trucks and volunteers to help motorists whose cars break down because of the floods.
The source said the traffic police were ordered to find places where motorists can park while waiting for floodwaters to subside. Such areas must have toilet facilities and the possibility to purchase food and drinks.
The traffic police were also ordered to alert the public promptly when certain parts of the road network become flooded.