220 dead in Songkran celebrations so far

220 deaths and 2,658 injured in first four dangerous days

BANGKOK: -- Road casualties climbed to 220 deaths and 2,658 people injured as 2,658 accidents were recorded nationwide in the first four of the "seven most dangerous days" of the Songkran festival.

Chiang Rai had the most accidents at 102 followed by Nakhon Si Thammarat at 94, Paichit Varachit, deputy permanent secretary of the Public Health Ministry, said yesterday.

Monday alone saw 863 traffic accidents with 81 deaths and 940 injuries.

Driving under the influence of alcohol was the major cause of accidents followed by speeding.

Most mishaps involved motorcycles driven from 4pm8pm.

Nakhon Si Thammarat had the most accidents on Monday at 36 and the most injuries at 47 cases, while Nakhon Sawan had the most deaths at seven.

In the four days to Monday, emergency medical units went out on 12,621 missions, with 5,149 to minister to people including those suffering from road accidents, 5,513 to treat illnesses, 932 to dress wounds from fighting and 38 to attend to victims of water accidents.

Anucha Mokhaves, directorgeneral of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said provincial authorities and police were instructed to warn motorcyclists and passengers to strictly follow traffic rules and regulations, as Songkran travellers were expected to start returning to Bangkok today.

Officials manning checkpoints would also take extra measures in areas prone to accidents, he added.

-- The Nation 2009-04-15


Partying to the extreme