Songkran Celebrations Take Their Toll !

The number of people killed on Thailand's roads during the first six days of the seven-day Songkran festival has risen to 321 with 3,961 people injured, a senior Interior Ministry official said.

Anucha Mokkhaves, chief of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said 3,634 road accidents had occurred nationwide from April 10 to 15, 321 fewer than for the same period last year. The fatalities were three less than last year at this stage of the holiday break.

On Wednesday, there were 528 accidents, leaving 49 dead and 586 injured.

Chiang Mai recorded the most fatalities with 13 driving-related deaths during the six-day period and Chiang Rai had the most accidents with 137 over the period.

There were eight provinces in which no fatalities from road accidents had been recorded so far - Trat, Chachoengsao, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Sakon Nakhon, Nan, Pattani and Yala.

Mr Anucha said the major causes of the accidents were driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding, and that most accidents involved motorcycles.

Police and civil servants manning checkpoints on highways and roads were required to work late on Wednesday night as Songkran revellers began to drift back to the capital from upcountry even though the government declared yesterday and today as additional public holidays.

Source: Bangkok Post - 17th April 2009