Songkran accidents cost more than three billion baht

BANGKOK: -- Road accidents in Thailand during the recent

Songkran festival cost the nation more than three billion baht, according to

the deputy prime minister Pinit Jarusombat.

Nearly two billion baht in losses was caused by the absence from work of

people killed in road accidents. The loss of property costed more than three

hundred million baht, and the cost of hospital treatment of the injured

amounted to 147 million baht.

More than five hundred people died on Thailand’s roads during the

10-day holiday period, and nearly seventeen thousand were injured.

The total cost of road accidents for the whole year is likely to exceed 100

billion baht, or two percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP),

according to government studies, said Mr. Pinit, who is also the chairman of

the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

Mr. Pinit says a concerted campaign was needed to reduce road accidents.

Rigorous law enforcement was also needed to curb road accidents after the

festive period.

The authorities should force motorcyclists to wear helmets and the sale of

alcohol at gas stations should be banned, he said.

Provincial governors need to cooperate with the authorities to help the

victims of the road accidents. The victims should also be supported in suing

the offenders for compensation.

--TNA 2005-04-29

Songkran accidents cost more than three billion baht 

BANGKOK: --  Road accidents in Thailand during the recent

Songkran festival cost the nation more than three billion baht, according to

the deputy prime minister Pinit Jarusombat.

Nearly two billion baht in losses was caused by the absence from work of

people killed in road accidents. The loss of property costed more than three

hundred million baht, and the cost of hospital treatment of the injured

amounted to 147 million baht.

More than five hundred people died on Thailand’s roads during the

10-day holiday period, and nearly seventeen thousand were injured.

The total cost of road accidents for the whole year is likely to exceed 100

billion baht, or two percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP),

according to government studies, said Mr. Pinit, who is also the chairman of

the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

Mr. Pinit says a concerted campaign was needed to reduce road accidents.

Rigorous law enforcement was also needed to curb road accidents after the

festive period.

The authorities should force motorcyclists to wear helmets and the sale of

alcohol at gas stations should be banned, he said.

Provincial governors need to cooperate with the authorities to help the

victims of the road accidents. The victims should also be supported in suing

the offenders for compensation.

--TNA 2005-04-29

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.........what a waste of life for a few moments of stupidity!!