"New Year festival"

Roads across Thailand were busy on Sunday as people began heading back to Bangkok after the New Year break.

Times Squares last New Years Eve before the pandemic was a rollicking affair. A million people packed in, hugging and locking lips, all blissfully unaware that a virus would soon devastate their city and shut down the world.

Bangkok governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang has ordered the cancellation of state-sponsored countdown events, though private events can proceed in line with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s prevention measures.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Saturday instructed the Public Health Ministry to issue an official rule that all visitors to large New Year festivals present proof of vaccination and ATK tests taken no more than 72 hours ago.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday issued new guidelines for the New Year holidays.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to organize the New Year festival and Buddhist chanting ceremony from December 31 to January 1 at Lan Khon Mueang Town Square in Phra Nakhon district, said Chaloemphol Chotinuchit, deputy BMA permanent secretary on Tuesday.

Vehicles travelling on the Chalong Rat Expressway through Rama IX-I toll booths will enjoy a 10 baht discount on toll fees for another year, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Monday.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday said he would need another seven days to assess the Covid-19 situation before deciding whether New Year countdown events around the country could go ahead.

Inter-provincial bus company Transport Co expects fewer people to travel upcountry during the New Year break this year due to two consecutive long weekends, the Covid-19 outbreak and resulting financial problems.

The total number of road accidents and deaths between December 27 and January 1 decreased compared to last year, Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda pointed out on Thursday (January 2).

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Monday (December 30) that his ministry had joined with other government agencies including the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) in conducting random checks on 1,545 drivers of the coaches and vans transporting holidaymakers over the New Year festival, and found 5 of them had used narcotics.