Thailand beefs up security on Koh Samui island for festival

Security measures were beefed up on Koh Samui island on Monday for the Songkran festival, when a large number of travellers are expected to visit the popular spot in Thailand.

Koh Samui marine police said security measures were being taken not only on Koh Samui and the nearby Koh Pa-ngan islands off Surat Thani province in Thailand, but also on the shores where a dozen boats ferry passengers to the islands at a 30-minute interval, Xinhua reported.

"We've stepped up measures for the safety of all visitors to Koh Samui and Koh Pa-ngan, especially during the approaching Songkran holiday. While the ferry boats have been assured of good working condition, we're seeing to it that suspicious-looking persons, vehicles or any cargoes on board will be thoroughly examined and put away," said the police.

All the ferry boats, speed boats and scooters as well as crew members were thoroughly checked for safety reasons, with life jackets and life boats being readily available on board, the police said.

The owners and operators of hotels, resort units, restaurants and other accommodations on the tourist islands have made preparations to help the authorities in coping with possibilities of any untoward incident, according to the head of the local marine police.

In addition to the major tourist destinations in Thailand, Phuket island and Thai archipelagos in the Andaman Sea are also attracting a large number of visitors during the water-splashing festival.