The “Khaosan Halloween 2022 Party Fantasy” tonight (Monday) on Bangkok’s famous Khao San Road will proceed as planned, with extra safety measures, according to Khaosan Business Operators Association and Bangkok governor.
Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of Khaosan Business Operators Association, said that the Itaewon tragedy has raised concerns here, but the association, which is responsible for organising the event tonight, has used the tragic incident as a learning opportunity when preparing precautionary measures to increase public safety.
More than 150 people, mostly teenagers and young adults, were killed and dozens injured in the Itaewon stampede.
The Khao San road is about 400 meters long and the two-lane road is lined on both sides with shops, food and vending stalls and is crowded with pedestrians at night.
Sanga said that there are seven exits along the 400-metre stretch of the road and there are signs in Thai, English and Chinese, adding that police from Chana Songkhram police station will be on hand to maintain peace and order tonight.
Khao San Road, said Sanga, is different from the main road in Itaewon district, which is quite long and has many narrow lanes, some of which are on a gradient.
He admitted, however, that Khao San Road also has some narrow lanes and there are shops and pubs located along them.
Khao San Road accommodated about 50,000 people during the Songkran Festival, said Sanga, as he assured the public that all the stalls on the road will be removed tonight, so they will not block pedestrian access.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said today that he has instructed authorities to increase safety measures at Khao San Road and at Silom Soi 2, where Halloween parties are to be held tonight.
He said that the city administration has reviewed safety measures for other festivities as well, such as at Loy Krathong at Ong Ang Canal, at which many locals and tourists are expected.
On Loy Krathong, he said that authorities must prevent too many people from squeezing into a small area, which risks someone falling into the canal.
He also said that city officials must be trained in CPR, so they can assist in a case similar to that which occurred in Itaewon, adding that the first aid training course should also be taught in municipal schools.
