The Official 2008 Songkran Death Toll Begins

[adjan jb]

as per Post #35, for 2006, there were 476 deaths during Songkran, out of the total 1,647 for that year....

1,647 deaths in 2006 ( ). If it's true, Thailand is doing much much better than any European country.

France: 4,704 (2006)

UK: 3,150 (2006)

[Tony Clifton]

as per Post #35, for 2006, there were 476 deaths during Songkran, out of the total 1,647 for that year....

1,647 deaths in 2006 ( ). If it's true, Thailand is doing much much better than any European country.

France: 4,704 (2006)

UK: 3,150 (2006)

I give each province (78) a generous minimum of one death per day for a whole year, a total of 27, 740.

I think these numbers can very easily reach 50, 000 road deaths a year, easily, including pedestrians, and that's still a very low minimum.

Combine these high numbers the govt. doesn't want published to affect the tourism industry and the fact that many parts of government still write down information in ledgers and do not share information on an open network. There is just no way to obtain official numbers that make sense here.

[sriracha john]

90% of road accidents in Mukdahan during Songkran caused by drunk-driving

Deputy Governor of Mukdahan province, Prachakchit Aphiwat, reported that more than 90% of road accidents during the Songkran Festival were caused by drunk driving and warns commuters to drive safely.

Road accidents statistics in Mukdahan gathered from April 12th-16th shows 109 accidents, 162 injuries, and three deaths. 29 of the accidents took place on April 14th, higher than the same period of last year by fourfold. Two group accidents occurred on April 12th and 14th respectively and most of the accidents were caused by drunk driving, followed by speeding, drowsiness, and jumping a queue and overtaking on the wrong side of the road.

The deputy governor also calls on drivers to stop their vehicles and rest at service points provided by the province if they are sleepy, tired, or drunk.

- ThaiNews (today)

[adjan jb]

The deputy governor also calls on drivers to stop their vehicles and rest at service points provided by the province if they are ... drunk.

He should tell them not to drive at all.

[Tony Clifton]

And the week isn't over...

Since year after year the police can't come up with anything worth saving a few lives and Thai driver's response seems to be the same as little children's, may as well introduce Zero Tolerance for all drivers and impounded vehicles for a month. Problem is enforcing anything in this country.

[sriracha john]

Hard time for police

Highway Police have not been given a break since the official kickoff of the "Don't Drive Drunk" campaign for Songkran last Friday. Police manning the checkpoints were asked to work on all seven days of the festival to ensure drunk motorists do not go unpunished. Checking the state of mind of revellers travelling on the major highway leading to the northeastern region from Saraburi became a requirement. Despite the campaign, more than 200 deaths and 3,300 accident-related injuries have already been reported across the country during the first four days of the water-splashing festival. Stretching from the Thap Khwang checkpoint in Kaeng Khoi district in Saraburi to the Mittraphap Highway, the campaign, launched at 5.30pm on April 11, and presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Banditkul, saw dozens of motorists being pulled over to see if they were inebriated. Those stopped were told to blow into a breathalyser to see if they were over the limit before being allowed to proceed. But, as the hours went by, no one was found with a blood alcohol reading exceeding the permissible level. Shortly after, the Deputy Prime Minister, accompanied by TV and newspaper reporters and photographers, left for waiting helicopters which flew them back to Bangkok. Soon after they left, highway police on northeast routes stopped checking for drunk drivers.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/16Apr2008_news24.php

[sriracha john]

the story goes international when the numbers are this big....

276 killed in road accidents during Thailand's traditional New Year

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thousands of traffic accidents killed 276 people and injured 3,537 others during Thailand's traditional New Year holiday, according to official statistics released Wednesday.

Many Thais took a week off to celebrate the April 13-15 holiday known as Songkran and returned to their family homes in the countryside.

Revelers celebrated the holiday by splashing each other with water, while authorities focused on traffic safety.

From April 11 to April 15, 276 people were killed and 3,537 injured in road accidents, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center.

Ahead of the holiday, the government urged people not to drink and drive, the main cause of fatal road accidents every Songkran. Many of the accidents involved motorcycles, the center said.

Current celebrations of Songkran evolved from an ancient rite meant to guarantee ample water for the next season's crops. Under the old custom, young people poured scented water over the hands of their elders as a mark of respect, and received their blessings.

But in recent years the festival has become wild, wet and raucous, and each year drunken driving leads to hundreds of fatal accidents.

- Associated Press / 4-16-08

[sriracha john]

Road death toll reaches 276 as clean-up gets under way

The Songkran road death toll climbed to 276 on Tuesday, the fifth day of the long holiday danger period. There were a total of 3,537 road accidents resulting in 276 deaths and 3,992 injuries from April 11 to April 15, said Anucha Mokhawet, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department. On April 15 alone, a total of 47 people were killed and 677 others injured in 588 road accidents nationwide. As of Tuesday, Chiang Rai reported the highest number of accumulated accidents at 153, followed by Phetchabun at 146. Phitsanulok had the highest death toll, with 15 as of Tuesday, followed by Phetchabun with 11. No road accidents were reported in five provinces _ Krabi, Kalasin, Yasothon, Satun and Samut Prakan, said Anucha. Peak accident hours were between 4pm and 8pm. Drunk driving (42.18%) was blamed for most accidents, which mostly involved motorcycles (82.26%). Most of the accidents occurred on village roads (43.71%), followed by highways (29.25%). Anucha said 90,257 officials manning 3,054 road checkpoints nationwide had stopped 782,234 vehicles for checks over the past five days. A total of 45,594 motorists were caught for traffic law violations.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/17Apr2008_news10.php

[sriracha john]

some positive numbers... ZERO

No deaths from road accidents during Songkran in Surin this year

Surin province’s road prevention measures have proved a success as no death has been reported during the last six days of Songkran Festival this year.

The Deputy Governor of Surin province Wanchai Udomsin reported that 62 road accidents have taken place from April 11th – 16th. The accidents have caused 76 injuries and the main cause of the accidents is drunk-driving. Most of the accidents involved motorcycles.

Mr Wanchai says people have cooperated with the authorities more by abiding by traffic rules, resulting in less accidents and injuries in Songkran Festival this year. The Deputy Governor also requested drivers who are traveling back from the vacation today to drive safely and not to drink alcohol.

- ThaiNews (today)

=====================================================================

Thumbs up for Surin province and best of luck to them that it remains ZERO.

Perhaps a contributor to its good kharma is generated by

[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

DAY #4

49 killed, 801 injured in 711 road accidents on Monday

DAY #5

47 killed, 677 injured in 588 road accidents on Tuesday

DAY #6

48 killed, 493 injured in 448 road accidents on Wednesday

[sriracha john]

Last years sad figures!!

The final tally for the Official Songkran Death Toll: 2007

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

Holiday death toll hits 324 in six days

It’s been six days now since the start of the “Dangerous Driving Days” project and 3,955 accidents have so far been reported. While the latest death toll stood at 324, there were altogether 4,485 injuries.

Chiang Rai province had the highest number of accidents followed by Phetchabun and Phitsanulok. The latter also emerged as the province with the highest number of deaths with 15 reported, Chiang Mai came in second and Bangkok ranked third.

Provinces still able to maintain a clean record so far this year are Nakhon Nayok, Singburi, Yala, Krabi, Surin, Sri Saket and

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127144

===================================================================

Unless the numbers drop significantly (eg. < 37 deaths, < 320 injured, < 319 accidents ) on the Final Day #7, last year figures will be exceeded...

so we can expect Interior Minister Chalerm will have his way... (of course, that's provided he's even still around for Songkran 2009)

[sriracha john]

well... that didn't take long...

Sale of booze to be banned from 2009

Alcoholic drinks will no longer be sold during 'long holidays' to curb road fatalities

It's official! Alcohol sales will be banned at holidays from New Year. Motorists are just not getting the message and the road toll continues to soar this year, with deaths approaching 400 for six days of the festival.

The Public Health Ministry is running with Interior Minister Chalerm Yubumroong's idea to prohibit alcohol sales during long holidays. It's drafting regulations right now, officials say.

Alcohol plays a part in a substantial percentage of accidents over holiday periods, Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsup says, adding "serious alcohol-control measures are needed".

Tougher punishment for drinking and driving and breaking sales laws will be meted out, too, he promises. People are not cooperating with existing laws and safety campaigns, he laments.

Chaiya says a soon-to-be-formed alcohol-control board will next month formulate regulations that will be ready for the calendar New Year holiday.

- Daily XPress (today)

[Tony Clifton]

Wonderful, the idiots let them know one year in advance.

It would have worked for one year to some degree at least, but not anymore.

Headless chickens.

Edited April 18, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[bdenner]

well... that didn't take long...

Sale of booze to be banned from 2009

...............

Chaiya says a soon-to-be-formed alcohol-control board will next month formulate regulations that will be ready for the calendar New Year holiday.

- Daily XPress (today)

The way I read this New Year's eve and ALL major holidays will have bar closures. That will go down well with the tourist.

With over 80% of the deaths and injury motor cycle related one would have thought the powers that be would concentrate on that statistic.

[Cuban]

So if this is to be a total ban on alcohol sales in songkran areas - will this mean that Pattaya bars will be dry for the whole week ?

Brilliant move - those in power really understand the tourist $ that Pattaya and the like bring to Thailand.

Add this the 14:00 - 17:00 no beer sales and Thailand is one step closer to a dry state.

[LinkPopularity]

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.

how many taxes did you pay for 2007?

[Thai at Heart]

well... that didn't take long...

Sale of booze to be banned from 2009

...............

Chaiya says a soon-to-be-formed alcohol-control board will next month formulate regulations that will be ready for the calendar New Year holiday.

- Daily XPress (today)

The way I read this New Year's eve and ALL major holidays will have bar closures. That will go down well with the tourist.

With over 80% of the deaths and injury motor cycle related one would have thought the powers that be would concentrate on that statistic.

Add in religious days and the few random elections that happen on weekends, and soon bars will only be allowed to open 2 days a week.

[kmart]

Songkran Festival seems to be a kind of Thai-style unemployment solution. Having had to drive through the throngs of "revellers" during the course of this working week, and seeing some of the stupidity and carnage; it never fails to amaze me...

[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.

how many taxes did you pay for 2007?

None, they'd waste that too. Besides, I was too busy spending many times more than what'd I'd pay in taxes.

My wife pays taxes though, still, her life is no safer than mine when on the roads, and neither is yours.

[slapout]

Now lets hear from rhe BIB how this years accidents and deaths numbers are an inprovement over past Songkrans. The injury numbers seem to have a very wide varience when you see one minsitry vs the police/ Interior ministry reports, I wonder whose numbers will hit the record books?

[sriracha john]

7 Day Totals

360 killed and 4,794 injured in 4,242 road accidents

The above are per Bangkok Post...

The below are per The Nation...

368 killed and 4,803 injured in 4,243 road accidents

Edited April 18, 2008 by sriracha john

[bdenner]

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.

how many taxes did you pay for 2007?

None, they'd waste that too. Besides, I was too busy spending many times more than what'd I'd pay in taxes.

My wife pays taxes though, still, her life is no safer than mine when on the roads, and neither is yours.

Although it’s not much most all of us pay taxes in one form or another. - 7% VAT on most of what we purchase. - Vehicle licenses. - Local govt. taxes on hotel accommodation (here in Udon it is 1%) etc. I guess we are partly responsible for the slack service the BIB provide as we pay cheap "Tea" money rather than paying the correct fines for our misdemeanors. Most of the road blocks up here are manned by the volunteer police and they would rather be involved in the festivities.

[sriracha john]

368 Road Death Toll on 7th Day of Songkran Holiday

The official road death toll for the Songkran holiday on the end of the seventh day reached 368.

The official road death toll for the Songkran holiday period at the end of the seventh day has reached 368 with a total of 4,243 accidents and 4,803 people injured from those accidents.

Phitsanulok province saw the highest road death toll at 25. Adding to the toll was a tour bus accident in the province, on kilometer 80 of the Phitsanulok-Uttaradit Road late last night. The tour bus, from Payao province bound for Bangkok, lost control at a turn and overturned, causing eight passengers to die at the scene and 36 others injured.

Seven more people were killed on the roads this Songkran compared with last year.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

well... that didn't take long...

Sale of booze to be banned from 2009

Alcoholic drinks will no longer be sold during 'long holidays' to curb road fatalities

It's official! Alcohol sales will be banned at holidays from New Year. Motorists are just not getting the message and the road toll continues to soar this year, with deaths approaching 400 for six days of the festival.

The Public Health Ministry is running with Interior Minister Chalerm Yubumroong's idea to prohibit alcohol sales during long holidays. It's drafting regulations right now, officials say.

They've gone one step further.... discussion moved to new thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=184275

Alchohol Ban During Buddhist Holidays Planned, also during Songkran

[jstumbo]

7 Day Totals

360 killed and 4,794 injured in 4,242 road accidents

The above are per Bangkok Post...

The below are per The Nation...

368 killed and 4,803 injured in 4,243 road accidents

The question is, how many people die on the roads on an average week in Thailand anyway? Are these numbers really that much higher?

[sriracha john]

as per Post #35, for 2006, there were 476 deaths during Songkran, out of the total 1,647 for that year....

If those statistics are correct , it means that about 30% of all deaths occur

during the Songkran period , staggering indeed .

The question is, how many people die on the roads on an average week in Thailand anyway? Are these numbers really that much higher?

If the stats above are accurate, 30% of annual deaths occuring during a single week would indeed be much higher.

[apetley]

http://www.grsproadsafety.org/?pageid=28

Road Safety Situation

According to official statistics (police), 12,858 people were killed in road crashes in 2005. However the real number might even be higher. According to documentation from the health sector, the real death toll could be 20,000 or more if victims who die after being removed from the crash scene are included.

The actual figure could even be nearer 30k per annum. That figure of 1647 road deaths in one year is way off.