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Kanittha Thepkajorn
Thanatpong Khongsai
The Nation on Sunday January 22, 2012 1:00 am
As Thais of Chinese descent celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday dispatched security officers to guard 35 locations around the capital, while Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra participated in a ceremony believed to ward off bad luck to celebrate the auspicious occasion.
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has made available Bt490 billion worth of banknotes for people to withdraw before and during the festival.
The BOT estimated that cash withdrawals would reach Bt107 billion before and during the festival, similar to the amount withdrawn last year.
Officials from the BMA's Fire and Rescue Department are leading those from other departments of City Hall to provide security assistance to Bangkokians through Tuesday.
Locations where security is being tightened include areas where a lot of Thai-Chinese live and where many old wooden houses are located, including Yaowarat, Sampeng, Pratunam and Wong Wien Yai. About 500 officials have been stationed at those places and equipped with fire-extinguishing equipment.
The BMA has also warned people who light firecrackers and burn paper and other fake valuables as offerings to be careful as their actions could cause fires.
Sukhumbhand attended the ceremony held at Lengnoeiyi Temple in Bangkok believed to ward off bad luck for people who were born in the years of the dragon, dog, ox and goat since he was born in the year of dragon.
He said he told BMA officials to monitor closed-circuit cameras and to patrol areas crowded with tourists, including Yaowarat, Silom and Charoen Krung.
Yesterday was the main shopping day for the festival, with Thai-Chinese people across the country buying items necessary for the celebrations.
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