New rules announced for royal motorcades

MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2020
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Government Spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said on Sunday (January 12) that His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn had expressed concern about the motorcades of Royal Family members inconveniencing public road users.

The King ordered the Royal Thai Police to come up with new rules for royal motorcades that prioritise public traffic flow.

Following the King's order, the Royal Thai Police announced 10 new rules regarding royal motorcades:
1 No traffic lanes will be closed to facilitate royal motorcades.
2 On the motorcade route, traffic lanes will be divided into a motorcade lane while the rest will remain public lanes, using dividers as traffic cones, lighting signs, intelligent signs, etc.
3 The lanes on the opposite side of the motorcade route will remain open as usual. If the road does not have a street island, dividers such as traffic cones will be deployed to ensure public safety.
4 Traffic lanes merging into the motorcade route at a junction will be open as usual, using traffic cones to guide traffic flow.
5 U-turn bridges and crossing bridges that fly over the motorcade route will be open as usual.
6 At toll booths, only two rightmost lanes will be reserved for the motorcade, while the rest will be open to public vehicles. Traffic cones will be deployed on the left lanes to guide public vehicles into and out of the booths.
7 No one will be forced to change direction at junctions and crossroads along the motorcade routes. The public’s intention to use the roads in their original direction must be preserved as a priority.
8 Traffic cones and lighting signs must be deployed in a suitable place that does not result in loss of traffic lanes or causes the public inconvenience.
9 Consider employing appropriate public relations measures to notify road users of optimal routes with the highest convenience and safety.
10 Police commanders of all levels must supervise the route administration in person and make sure to use suitable manners and speech when addressing the public to avoid causing them to feel being forced or limited in their transport routes.