191 busy? Try 1599

Police have added an alternative emergency number, 1599, to its often inaccessible 191 and are increasing their phone lines. Police came under fire last week when a caller was unable to report a suicide at the abandoned Sathorn Unique Tower.

Please join us on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning

Deputy National Police Chief Ruangsak Jritake Ruangsak Jritake inspects the heavily-criticised police emergency reporting system. PORNPROM SATRABHAYA

191 busy? Try 1599

When amateur photographer Nattawat Wasatient was unable to get through to 191 to report the suicide of a Swedish backpacker in the abandoned Sathorn Unique Tower last week, he quickly found out he was not alone.

Many others took to the social media to complain about the near-impossibility of getting through to the emergency service when it was desperately needed.

Now police are taking action. Post Today reports they are adding the number 1599 owned by the National Police Headquarters for reporting emergencies in Bangkok.

They are also increasing the number of 191 lines to 60 from 40. Officers are required to arrive at the site of an emergency within five minutes of being called. Closed-circuit TV cameras are also being installed at 861 high-risk areas and additional lighting is being installed.

Police say the problem is especially acute during the 18.00-20.00 period when typically 1,600 to 2,000 calls are received. In addition many of the calls are hoaxes, often coming from children. Only about eight percent of the calls are for genuine emergencies, police say.

สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/449239/191-busy-try-1599