He stressed that the supposed “11 police rules” for Songkran that received widespread attention on social media did not in fact come from the Royal Thai Police (RTP), and that police would like people to enjoy the festival as always.
For example, contrary to the rumours, people will still able to sit in the back of pickup trucks with large barrels of water, splashing others or throwing powder on them.
But, Maj Pramuan said, people should not take the free-for-all atmosphere of Songkran as an excuse to molest women.
Nor should they drive while drunk. He said that if the police find alcohol in a vehicle, both driver and passengers will be prosecuted.
If the driver or passengers are drunk but police find no alcohol in the vehicle, the occupants will either be sent home by taxi or will be taken to a check point and kept there until they sober up.
Selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 20 and disturbing others with loud music are also prohibited, he said.
Maj Pramuan explained that there are 15 police check points on the island for the period of the festival. Each checkpoint will have a medical team; seats, drinking water and soft drinks for drivers who are tired and emotional; and information to help drivers find their way along important routes.
All checkpoints will also be equipped with breathalyzers.
If a driver is found to be intoxicated but has a blood-alcohol ratio of less than 0.05 per cent, he or she – and passengers – will be required to rest in the checkpoint until police officers think they are sober enough to continue.
If the blood-alcohol level is more than 0.05 per cent, the legal limit in Thailand, the driver will be arrested.