Sanit puts traffic lights back on manual

All round Bangkok, police are turning off the countdown light in order to control traffic signals manually - for efficiency. (File photo by Thanarak Khunton)

The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has ordered traffic police to stop using automatic traffic lights in Bangkok and control them manually instead.

MPB acting commissioner Sanit Mahathavorn said he ordered the ban on automated traffic signals, saying traffic police must use manual controls to ensure smooth traffic.

Pol Lt Gen Sanit said traffic lights were not suitable in Bangkok where the number of vehicles in each direction differed.

Therefore, automated traffic lights might not be consistent with traffic conditions, he said.

"Officers who still use the automated traffic light countdown system will face a penalty of three days' confinement [at police headquarters]," he said.

Pol Lt Gen Sanit said he has also authorised the Traffic Police Division to instruct traffic police from each station how to do their work effectively. Previously, the division had no authority to do so.

Royal Thai Police (RTP) spokesman Dechnarong Sutticharnbancha said the RTP also instructed commanders and deputy commanders of the MPB's divisions 1-9, and also the chiefs and deputy chiefs of 88 police stations in Bangkok, to inspect traffic conditions and ease congestion in areas under their supervision.

However, the acting MPB chief's move was met with mixed reactions from motorists.

Pornwasa Naktham, 38, said she was not sure the new system of allowing traffic police to control lights would work.

"It may be fine if traffic police in all areas coordinate well but they are not doing so now," she said.

Panu Yoddammoen, 48, said it was a good idea to force traffic police to control the traffic by themselves.

Currently, he said, several intersections lack traffic police, meaning the automatic system sometimes controls lights unsuitably.