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175169
Wed, 04/13/2011 - 13:23
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http://m.oananews.org//node/175169
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Fifty-nine people killed and 976 injured in first two-day Songkran celebrations
BANGKOK, April 13 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Interior's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Wednesday that during the first two days of this year's Songkran Festival, or April 11-12, there were 893 road accidents across the country, dropping by 534 or 37.42 per cent from the corresponding period last year; while the accumulated Songkran death toll nationwide was 59, down by 55 cases or 48.25 per cent from last year.
According to the official report, the number of the injured during the first two-day Songkran celebrations was 976 nationwide, declining by 560 cases or 36.46 per cent from last year, with the highest number of road accidents or 52 cases reported in Chiang Rai, followed by 38 in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The highest number of accumulated Songkran fatalities, or four cases each during April 11-12, was recorded in Chiang Mai, Phrachuap Khiri Khan and Chon Buri; while the highest number of the injured, or 54 cases, was reported in Chiang Rai Province, followed by 40 in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
Meanwhile, the government’s ad hoc road safety center during the Songkran Festival under the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has ordered police to now focus on minor roads in and between villages, as April 13 is the third day of this week's Songkran celebrations when most people should have reached their native districts and road accidents should mostly happen on local roads in villages and between villages and should mainly involve drunk motorcyclists.
Police have also been instructed to strictly enforce the laws against drunk drivers and motorcyclists who fail to wear crash helmets and to strictly prohibit sales and consumption of alcohol in Songkran celebrating areas.
The department's director-general, Wibul Sa-nguanpong, said he has ordered provincial authorities to also urge people to refrain from using high-pressure water guns on passing motorists, especially motorcyclists, to prevent accidents, suggesting, however, that people who have road accidents seek help by calling the official hotline number 1784 around the clock. (TNA)
According to the official report, the number of the injured during the first two-day Songkran celebrations was 976 nationwide, declining by 560 cases or 36.46 per cent from last year, with the highest number of road accidents or 52 cases reported in Chiang Rai, followed by 38 in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The highest number of accumulated Songkran fatalities, or four cases each during April 11-12, was recorded in Chiang Mai, Phrachuap Khiri Khan and Chon Buri; while the highest number of the injured, or 54 cases, was reported in Chiang Rai Province, followed by 40 in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
Meanwhile, the government’s ad hoc road safety center during the Songkran Festival under the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has ordered police to now focus on minor roads in and between villages, as April 13 is the third day of this week's Songkran celebrations when most people should have reached their native districts and road accidents should mostly happen on local roads in villages and between villages and should mainly involve drunk motorcyclists.
Police have also been instructed to strictly enforce the laws against drunk drivers and motorcyclists who fail to wear crash helmets and to strictly prohibit sales and consumption of alcohol in Songkran celebrating areas.
The department's director-general, Wibul Sa-nguanpong, said he has ordered provincial authorities to also urge people to refrain from using high-pressure water guns on passing motorists, especially motorcyclists, to prevent accidents, suggesting, however, that people who have road accidents seek help by calling the official hotline number 1784 around the clock. (TNA)
