Water Festival
30 deaths on first of Songkran's seven dangerous days
Up to 30 people were killed on the road on Wednesday - the first of the seven dangerous days associated with Songkran.
The death toll was announced by the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DPMD) yesterday in a move to step up its campaign to promote road safety at a time when millions of people are heading back to their hometowns to celebrate the Thai New Year.
Since the festival officially starts today, a large number of people were leaving the capital for their home provinces yesterday, causing massive traffic jams on Mitraphab Road in Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Meanwhile, the DPMD has been working hand in hand with several other organisations to help prevent or at least cut down on road accidents this year. Their efforts include manning checkpoints, deterring drunk driving, reminding people of the need to drive safely and follow traffic rules, as well as providing swift emergency medical services.
Yet, despite the department's allout efforts, a total of 343 road accidents were recorded on Wednesday, with 30 dead and 375 others injured. Five deaths, the highest number, were recorded in Phichit.
DPMD directorgeneral Wiboon Sanguanpong said yesterday that only 16 provinces reported no accidents on Wednesday.
"We are going to work particularly hard in eight provinces namely Roi Et, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Sawan, and Phitsanulok," he said. "Over the past six years, these provinces have seen more than 40 deaths each during Songkran."He added that the law would be strictly enforced to prevent people from engaging in risky behaviour such as drunk driving, speeding and failing to wear crash helmets.
According to the Royal Safety Centre, Nakhon Si Thammarat saw the highest number of road accidents on Wednesday. "As many as 20 accidents took place there," Transport Ministry's deputy permanentsecretary Jamroon Tangpaisankij said.
Jamroon, who chairs the Royal Safety Centre, added that 67,303 officials had been deployed to promote road safety and enforce relevant laws. He also urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition before they took to the road.
"Be sure you are well rested before you go behind the wheel. Don't use your phone while drive, and please stop driving if you are drunk or feel sleepy," he said.
Jamroon also urged motorists to cooperate with officials at checkpoints, adding that the centre had set up more than 2,400 checkpoints across the country. Apart from taking the road, many holidaymakers have also opted to fly or take the train. According to Chiang Mai Airport deputy director Prapawat Prasertsuwan, the number of daily flights to and from Chiang Mai has been increased from 70 to 86 between April 9 and 17 in order to accommodate the demand. Chiang Mai is a popular tourist destination, especially during the Thai New Year.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai's train station chief Silrat Meewajee said holidaymakers had been pouring into the province since last weekend, because April 9 had been declared a special public holiday.
"Now, trains to Chiang Mai are 80 per cent full," he said, adding that he reckoned more people would be heading back to Bangkok at the end of the holidays.
"We will increase the number of trains to Bangkok on April 16 and 17 to accommodate extra passengers," he said.
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