Station lists Bangkok's 10 worst sois
Radio station FM91 Traffic Pro yesterday revealed the 10 most dangerous sois in Bangkok, while deputy Bangkok city clerk Rattapol Meethanathaworn admitted safety issues were due to lack of staff.
The police-owned radio station, which reports on safety and traffic issues, said the list was based on police records, reports to the station and public complaints over safety.
The list - aimed at helping police and administrators boost safety - included Lat Phrao 21 in Chatuchak, where a deserted section has seen crimes, including robberies in which victims were killed.
Soi Wat Makok on Rajvithi Road near Victory Monument also made the list because of drug and gangster problems are so severe residents don't dare to go out at night for fear of robbery or sexual assault.
Soi Charansanitwong 89 in Bang Phlat and Soi Vimutayaram are used as hangouts by gangsters, drug dealers and drug addicts.
Charansanitwong 37 in Bangkok Noi district was said to be the scene of many sexual assaults and thefts.
Other sois were Taling Chan's Soi Suan Pak 11, Lak Si's Soi Wipawadee 64, Huai Khwang's Soi Ruam Raksa, Samphanthawong's Soi Pirom and Khlong San's Soi Charoen Nakhon 23.
Rattapol said the report would alert the public about the danger very close to them, and inform the Bangkok officials about failings, such as a lack of lights in some sois.
The BMA would install more lights in deserted areas and fix broken streetlights, plus set up a patrol unit to help police, Rattapol said.
Police at 88 stations were told to increase the frequency of patrols on deserted sois and to have more plainclothes men on surveillance.