The Official 2008 Songkran Death Toll Begins

[sriracha john]

45 killed, 557 injured in road accidents Friday

Fourty-five people were killed, 557 injured on the first of the seven most dangerous days during the Songkran celebration, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

There were altogether 477 accidents on Friday. Death toll in Prachuap Khiri Khan province topped the list with

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127067

[TopDogger]

No one running a book this year?

[sibeymai]

Khon Kaen in the top 3 ?

Edited April 12, 2008 by sibeymai

[Cuban]

Rather than start a new Songkran deaths thread.

Bangkok - A toll collector on a Bangkok expressway became the first traffic casualty of the traditional Thai New Year when she was run over by an 18-wheel truck, media reports said on Friday.

Molratda Sudakorn, 25, was killed by the truck on Thursday night as she was walking towards waiting motorists at the tollway to explain to them the toll fee had been lifted to celebrate Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, The Nation online news service reported.

Songkran will be marked in 2008 by a five-day national holiday from Saturday to Wednesday.

The holiday, traditional observed by family visits and playful splashing of scented water among youngsters and teens, has been marred by a high death toll on the country's highways in recent years as millions of Thais head home to the provinces to enjoy the festival. Source:SA new web site.

Edited April 12, 2008 by Cuban

[Tywais]

Rather than start a new Songkran deaths thread.

Bangkok - A toll collector on a Bangkok expressway became the first traffic casualty of the traditional Thai New Year when she was run over by an 18-wheel truck, media reports said on Friday.

Molratda Sudakorn, 25, was killed by the truck on Thursday night as she was walking towards waiting motorists at the tollway to explain to them the toll fee had been lifted to celebrate Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, The Nation online news service reported.

Source:SA new web site.

Has already been posted in the News section > Motorway Toll Collector Run Over By Truck

[marquess]

I have driven up to Khon Kaen from Bangkok yesterday morning and I saw five accidents on the way up and today in Khon Kaen while driving to the park with the dam, I have seen some stupid things on the road, even had someone driving towards me on the wrong side of the road drunk a motor bike, where are the police? Why do they have them if at this time of the year they do nothing? Moreover whoever encouraged children to throw water at moving cars? This place defies all forms of rational logic!

[Gravelrash]

Perhaps the police stay home as they don't want to get wet? Any shrinkage on those uniforms would lead to asphyxiation.

[Bagwan]

Perhaps the police stay home as they don't want to get wet? Any shrinkage on those uniforms would lead to asphyxiation.

Don't give me ideas - especially good ones such as that.

[sriracha john]

45 people were killed, 557 injured on the first of the seven most dangerous days during the Songkran celebration, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Pongpayom Vasaphuti, permanent secretary for Interior, said that Friday's accidents exceeded the same period last year when 41 persons were killed and 514 were injured.

- TNA

Edited April 12, 2008 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

The police themselves are the main cause of all these deaths by not pro actively patrolling the roads between these stupid roadblocks where all the madness goes on during Songkran and letting this deadly circus go on year round as well.

This year will be yet another miserable police failure to add to the pile since they are still convinced year after year that these roadblocks are THE solution.

Incompetence and laziness combined make this country one of the deadliest if no THE deadliest in the world. Useless pr!cks.

[sriracha john]

With apologies for not including the other statistic from TNA for Tony earlier...

Police have set up 3,009 checkpoints throughout the country in a bid to reduce road accidents during the festival.

[waveydavey]

With apologies for not including the other statistic from TNA for Tony earlier...

Police have set up 3,009 checkpoints throughout the country in a bid to reduce road accidents during the festival.

I'm afraid that just because they've set up checkpoints doesn't mean they're actually checking anything. At the one on the highway near me yesterday the police weren't stopping anybody but were actually sat at a desk under a sunshade drinking whiskey themselves ........

[bdenner]

Would be interested to know how many of the casulities happen at the U turn breaks. Major 3x3 highways out of BKK with these extremely dangerous activities going on every few kilometers. Even worse during holiday periods.

Some highway engineering dept. has alot to answer for.

[Tony Clifton]

Would be interested to know how many of the casulities happen at the U turn breaks. Major 3x3 highways out of BKK with these extremely dangerous activities going on every few kilometers. Even worse during holiday periods.

Some highway engineering dept. has alot to answer for.

The new and improved Bypass road in Chonburi is 4x4 and I think even 5x5 in places and still has u-turns. Deadly engineering indeed.

Build the cheapest option and let the population deal with the risks involved.

[taxexile]

Would be interested to know how many of the casulities happen at the U turn breaks

those u-turn breaks are a major cause of accidents here , who wants to drive 3 miles in the wrong direction before the nearest u-turn , hence the thai penchant for driving in the wrong direction.

saves petrol though and kinder on the environment !

[Maejo Man]

Pongpayom Vasaphuti, permanent secretary for Interior, said that Friday's accidents exceeded the same period last year when 41 persons were killed and 514 were injured.

- TNA

Unfortunately the worst is yet to come. The homeward journey for all the Songkran revellers takes a higher toll, as most are still either drunk or far too tired to drive any distance.

Last years sad figures!!

The final tally for the Official Songkran Death Toll: 2007

Deaths slightly down, but accidents and injuries increase

The seven "dangerous days" of the Songkran holidays ended with 361 people killed and 4,805 injured in 4,274 road accidents.

There were 77 more accidents and 79 more people were injured compared to last year, but there were 14 fewer fatalities.

Khon Kaen topped the provincial fatalities list with 16 deaths, while Chiang Rai had the most accidents with 160 and the most injuries with 167.

[marshbags]

Breaking News Bangkok Post

Prachuap suffers highest road fatality rate

Quote :-

(BangkokPost.com) – On the second day of the seven-day campaign to reduce road accidents during the Songkran festival, the number of victims is above the rate of last year.

The fatalities reached 104 at midnight Saturday, with the highest number of deaths reported in Prachuab Kirik Khan province in the upper South, where five people died in accidents on Friday, and another two on Saturday.

Nakhon Ratchasima of the Northeast and Bangkok were second and third worst.

The main cause of accidents was drunk driving.

Unquote.

Ref url:- http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127089

If they can find some way to curb the drink prior to the exodus it would be a start, but how can the do likewise on the return trip ????

Most drivers are still under the influence, built up during the rest of the celebrations, so you could hardly do a similar thing coming back as the booze is already in their systems.

My thoughts go with the loved ones left behind.

A good portion of those killed are not under the influence, but innocent parties victims of the accidents.

Making tough new drinking laws and enforcing them is a definite requesite in my humble opinion, with plenty of jail time for those convicted.

( Not only during Songkran but all year round )

No buying yourself out of the situation either, no matter who you are, needs to be another enforcement.

Check points to confiscate ALL vehicles along the routes is another for those failing a standard breath test.

Yes, i know the country we are guest in and all the negative stuff, but something has to happen !!!!!!!

May my dream come to pass !!!!

marshbags

Edited April 13, 2008 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

DAY #1

45 killed, 557 injured in 447 road accidents on Friday

DAY #2

59 killed, 854 injured in 743 road accidents on Saturday

[Elvikingo]

Chiang Rai definitely got the cheapest and smoothest assfalt in Thailand. Even with my iceskates I'd go the same speed as any motor cyclist! With 30 km/h you can make a 30 to 50 meter slip easily, it's fun if you know what you're doing!

cheers and happy songkran

Raoul

[sriracha john]

-courtesy of 2bangkok.com

Death Toll Exceeds 100

The Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Center reveals that the death toll has reached 104 during the seven-day road accident close surveillance of the Songkran period, whereas the injury number is reported at 1,411.

The Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Center reveals that the recorded number of road accidents during the first two days of the seven-day road accident close watch period for the Songkran Festival reached 1,220, with the death toll reported at 104. The number of injuries has already reached 1,411.

Chiang Mai in the North is reported to be the province with the highest record of road accidents during the first 2 days with 61 road accidents, followed by Chiang Rai. *Bad news there for Elvikingo*

Prajuab Kiri Khan province holds the highest death toll with seven deaths due to road accidents. Nakorn Ratchasima and Bangkok are both ranked second with 6 deaths each due to road accidents. The highest tally of injured persons was in Chiang Mai with 81 people.

On April 12th alone, the total number of accidents is reported at 743, about seven per cent higher than last year's record. The death toll on April 12th was reported at 59 and the number of injured was 854, both higher than last year's record.

The Center reveals that 41.59% of accidents were caused by drunk driving, while 22.21% is associated with driving over the speed limit. The peak time for road accidents is during 4 to 8 pm.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

Edited April 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Prachuap suffers highest road fatality rate

On the second day of the seven-day campaign to reduce road accidents during the Songkran festival, the number of victims is above the rate of last year. The fatalities reached 104 at midnight Saturday, with the highest number of deaths reported in Prachuab Kiri Khan province in the upper South, where five people died in accidents on Friday, and another two on Saturday. Nakhon Ratchasima of the Northeast and Bangkok were second and third worst. The main cause of accidents was drunk driving. Some 1,220 accidents were recorded on Friday and Saturday, with 1,411 people injured, in addition to the deaths. Authorities were hoping that an anti-drink-driving campaign would lower the number of

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127089

[sriracha john]

[interior Minister] Chalerm mulling ban on alcohol

Sales would be halted at start and end of festival

Alcohol sales will be banned over Songkran festivals in the future, if the road toll this year exceeds targets.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung will consult the public first, he says, but he's keen on prohibiting booze sales on the first and last days of the annual, traditional new-year celebration. Alternatively, the hours alcohol can be legally sold could be tightened from the current restrictions.

The road toll for the first two days of Songkran this year reached 104 dead and 1,411 injured, according to the Road Safety Centre. However, the Narenthorn Emergency Medical Institute says the toll as at 5pm yesterday is 143 dead and many more injured.

The Road Safety Centre says Saturday saw 743 road accidents killing 59 and injuring another 854. The so-called "seven dangerous days" of Songkran started on Friday.

Transportation Permanent Secretary and Centre member Chaisawat Kittipornpaibool says the main cause of accidents, once again, is drunk driving, with alcohol responsible in almost 42 per cent of all accidents.

Emergency call outs have almost trebled from last year to more than 2,600, says Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap.

But, again this year, emergency hotlines are besieged with at least one hoax call every minute.

- Daily Xpress / 14-04-08

[cmiuc]

Today after reading this... and then looking at my neighbors red truck that is now a white truck gives me the sense that people are out of control... thats all this holiday is about... it is about everyone from young to old to show who is the most reckless...

Throwing powder at fast moving cars/trucks and motorcycles is considered fun and in the spirit of the holiday... (not to mention the unsanitary water from who knows where)...

And if its a known fact to make the water with ice and as cold as possible... we must assume that there are more deviates in the crowd to do worse things... Kind of like spitting in the burgers of other places... tricks.

The checkpoints are only about making extra money... and a show... I'm sure if your drunk as a skunk and throw a 500B at them.. u r free to move along to kill the next victim...

I think we can say it's... "people vs. machine' intelligence...

I'm glad when its over... I hate this holiday.

[britmaveric]

Any predictions this year? I say 943 deaths, 5178 injured when all is said and done. (hope I am wrong and its far less)

[Tony Clifton]

Interior Minister] Chalerm mulling ban on alcohol

I'll bet this assh*le drives just as bad as what we see on the roads and he thinks an alcohol ban is the solution.

How will he prevent the population from stocking up before the ban kicks in?

As Interior Minister, maybe that's just what he should do, stay inside his house and refrain from making comments on the outside.

[sriracha john]

The final tally for the Official Songkran Death Toll: 2007

361 people killed and 4,805 injured in 4,274 road accidents.

predictions this year? 943 deaths, 5178 injured when all is said and done.

nearly a 3-fold increase in deaths from last year, brit?

[LeungKen]

Does anybody have the latest score ?

[sriracha john]

News is slow to come during the holidays... perhaps later this afternoon.

[sriracha john]

DAY #1

45 killed, 557 injured in 447 road accidents on Friday

DAY #2

59 killed, 854 injured in 743 road accidents on Saturday

DAY #3

76 killed, 1,103 injured in 1,018 road accidents on Sunday

[sriracha john]

Interior Minister to lay out road accident prevention measures if death toll exceeds expectation

Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrubung says the ministry will consider stepping up measures on road accident prevention during long holidays if this year's Songkran road accidents and death toll exceed expectation.

Chalerm says the ministry may arrange a public hearing concerning a ban on alcohol distribution on the first and final days of a vacation or limitation of alcohol selling period. In addition, the minister says the enforcement of traffic laws will be strengthened and people will be educated more about road accident prevention.

Chalerm also calls on motorcyclists to abide by traffic rules, wear a helmet, and not to drunk drive during the festival.

- ThaiNews / 14-04-08