The National Police Office has ordered Bangkok police to clamp down on illegal street racing by incriminating the racers, spectators, parents and auto tuning shops. 

Spokesperson to the National Police Office, Police Lieutenant Piya Uthayo, reported that the Metropolitan Police Bureau has been ordered to eradicate illegal street racing which has been disturbing the public and a source of other crimes including gambling, narcotics and prostitution. 

Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Utayoh said all police stations have been told to warn all service venues such as hotels, restaurants and karaokes not to support or get involved with the betting on Euro 2012.

Those found allowing gambling at their venues would be charged with violating the gambling Act and their business permits be revoked.

The Euro 2012 football matches are scheduled to run from June 8 until July 1 in Poland and Ukraine.

The spokesman added police would also ask administrators of educational places to monitor their students so they would not become involved in gambling on the Euro matches.

Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, said that all provincial health offices have been instructed to work with the local administrative organization offices in destroying larval habitats and to launch a more intensified campaign to kill mosquitoes. 

He said that the move followed reports on the outbreak of dengue fever in Ranong Province, where one was killed and 83 others were infected with the virus during the first 4 months of this year. 

DSI Director General Tharit Pengdit told a press conference Friday that the DSI joined forces with the Department of Intellectual Property and the National Federation of Thai Film Associations in hitting the biggest pirate disc production bases at seven locations allegedly belonging to Peera Korsuwannakul.

The seven locations were in Bangkok and surrounding areas including Ban Mor, Klang Mueang Housing Estate, Chaiyaphruek Housing Estate, Bang Bua Thong, a shop opposite Pantip Department Store in Ngarm Wong Wan, Phrueksa Housing Estate in Ratchaphruek, and two houses at Soi Pinprapakhom.

According to Mr Tharit, Mr Peera operates the country’s largest pirated CD/DVD production operation distributed the illegal pirate discs nationwide.

Metropolitan Police deputy chief Pol Maj-General Worasak Noppasitthiporn said: “The police plan to launch a campaign against watching TV and talking on mobile phones while driving in order to cut down on road accidents.”

Worasak said the law prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving had not been strictly enforced, and police often turned a blind-eye to motorists who watch television.

“The traffic police plan to revise and amend traffic laws that have been in force since 1979,” he added.

Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy chief Saroj Phrom-charoen yesterday announced the results of crime suppression in Bangkok over the past week that rounded up 27 people with guns, 69 robbery suspects and seven motorcycle thieves.

….Saroj also rewarded officials who made arrests to boost their morale.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Wallop Suwandee has ordered all city law enforcement officers to maintain order and cleanliness by cracking down on unauthorized street vendors, particularly at bus stops, BTS stations, crosswalks and on pedestrian bridges. 

The merchandisers are asked to set up their stands only in the designated zones. 

The ordinance will be enforced vigorously. This includes parking in no-parking zones. The city law enforcement officers will be working with the police to ensure order in Bangkok. 

Wallop has also warned Bangkokians that unapproved street signs and banners will be torn down in accordance to the city cleanliness act. 

The Interior Ministry has warned against any corruption or profiteering related to payment of compensation to victims of insurgent violence or extrajudicial measures instigated by the state.

It said any official found to have made up names of victims or sought a commission from anyone would face disciplinary and criminal action.

The Transport Ministry has ordered more rigorous control of the speed limit on expressways and motorways.

The move follows a high-speed crash involving three cars on the Don Muang tollway in Bangkok’s Lak Si district on Friday.

….Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan yesterday stressed the need for agencies to impose stricter speed limits on expressways and inter-provincial motorways.

Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa yesterday said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had urged three state agencies to crack down on scammers threatening to pocket 20 percent of compensation payments earmarked for violence victims in the South.

Cabinet approved the Bt2,080 million budget for the compensation on April 24. But Yutthasak said there had been criticism the criteria for spending the budget had not been not spelled out clearly.