A total of 104 persons were killed and 1,411 injured in 1,220 road accidents during the first two days of "seven dangerous days" in the annual water festival, as people streamed out of the capital city for their home provinces to celebrate the Songkran festival, Thailand's traditional New Year.
Chaisawat Kittipornpaiboon, permanent secretary for Transport Ministry, was quoted by the Thai News Agency on Sunday as saying that most of the accidents which occurred during the Songkran festival, Thailand's traditional New Year, resulted from driving under the influence of alcohol, followed by speeding. ...
Earlier, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said if the overall death toll this year does not decline, the government may implement new measures in an attempt to curb the fatalities.
The measures included banning the sale of alcohol before and after the Songkran holidays, strictly implementing the laws, and strictly enforcing wearing helmets, he said.
source;xinhuanet
