Songkran Water Festival Death Toll Continues To Rise

[Jai Dee]

Songkran death toll rises to 138

The number of people killed in road accidents during the first four of the "ten dangerous days" spanning the Songkran holidays has risen to 138, the Road Safety Centre reported Tuesday.

Interior Minister ACM Kongsak Wantana, who is also the centre's deputy director, said the first four days saw 1,544 road accidents, which was a decrease of 9.23per cent from last year's 1,701 accidents.

The accidents during the first four days caused 1,751 injuries, which was 6.46 per cent down on last year's 1,872 injuries, he said.

On Monday alone, there were 414 accidents claiming 28 lives, mostly from drunk driving and speeding, Kongsak said.

After six people were killed in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday, it became the province with highest accumulated toll at 9 deaths followed by Songkhla's 8 deaths and Chiang Mai's 5 deaths.

Source: The Nation - 12 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Songkran traffic deaths reach 138

The death toll from holiday-related traffic accidents reached 138 yesterday, just four days after the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department launched a 10-day road safety campaign in time for Songkran.

Some 1,751 people have also been injured since Friday, the department said yesterday.

The majority of accidents were the result of speeding and drunk driving, as many people return to their home towns for the holiday. Eighty percent of recent accidents have involved motorcycles.

On Monday, 28 people died and 491 were injured in a total of 414 recorded accidents. Those figures represent a significant drop over the corresponding day last year, when 45 people died and 587 were injured in 519 accidents.

From Friday, April 7 to Monday, April 10, Chiang Rai province experienced the greatest number of accidents with 65, followed by Chiang Mai and Nakhon Pathom with 48 accidents each. Chiang Rai also experienced the greatest number of recorded injuries.

However, most deaths have occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima. Nine people have died there since Friday, more than in any other province. Six of those deaths all occurred on Monday.

On Monday, the most recent day from which figures are available, nearly 66 percent of all accidents occurred at night and 58 percent took place off major highways. More than 56 percent of accidents that day happened on straightaways, 20 percent on curving roads and 13 percent at intersections.

Gen Kongsak Wanthana, the caretaker interior minister, yesterday called on traffic officials to pull over more driver to ensure they were driving safely.

He ordered police to pay particular attention to motorcyclists and to check that petrol stations were not selling alcohol during the holiday season.

“The ministry will send a letter to every governor to coordinate with police in order to check that shops and other places that sell alcoholic beverages are complying. If any of them sell such drinks, the police can arrest them right away,” he said.

Caretaker Health Minister Phinij Jarusombat announced yesterday that his ministry was prepared to deal with accident victims. He said 3,277 emergency medical teams and more than 32,000 doctors and nurses will be on duty during Songkran.

“Medical specialists will also be on duty at hospitals from 4pm to midnight when most accidents happen,” he said.

Source: ThaiDay

[jdinasia]

OK ...... this may or may not have been discussed

If the roads are twice as full of people during Songkran break .... SHOULDN'T there be a 100% increase in traffic deaths just by sheer numbers?

[Jai Dee]

DPM Chitchai still worries about road fatalities

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit, who is now taking care of the duties of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has expressed his concern over the death toll from road accidents during this year’s Songkran festival.

Pol. Gen. Chitchai stated that on the first five days of the “10 Dangerous Days” period, the number of road accident victims is still under control. However, he has warned motorists nationwide to be more careful while driving and strictly follow the road regulations. He has cautioned that drivers will be severely penalized if they are found intoxicated. The general public has been requested to notify the officials whenever they spot drunk drivers.

This evening, the Deputy Prime Minister will assess the readiness of traffic police officials at Mochit Transport Station.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 12 April 2006

[Maejo Man]

....and only half way through....a sad waste

Holiday road toll nears 200

Thailand's Songkran highway death toll reached 194 today, grim news that erased the holiday spirit for hundreds of families. According to official figures, the number of injured during the first five days of the Songkran festival reached 2,274.

In his capacity as deputy director of the road safety centre, Sermsak Pongpanit, caretaker deputy interior minister told the press that as of Tuesday night, the fifth day of the 10-day Songkran Thai New Year holiday window of danger period, there were 484 accidents, claiming 56 lives and injuring 532 persons.

The major cause of the road accidents is drunken driving, accounting for over 31 per cent of all accidents, followed by driving at excessive speeds. Motorcycles are involved in nearly 85 per cent of

road accidents, followed by pick-up trucks, and private cars.

The eastern province of Rayong recorded the highest number of the fatalities at five, followed by three in Chaiyaphum and Phitsanulok.

Fourteen provinces out of 76 provinces all over the country reported no deaths.

From April 7-11, there were 2,028 accidents in total, a drop by 315 compared to last year's data. The northern province of Chiang Rai recorded the most road accidents.

During the first five days, there were 194 deaths, 45 less than the 239 deaths reported at this time in 2005 -- a drop of nearly 19 per cent. The southern province of Songkhla reported most fatalities, followed by Nakhon Ratchasima, Rayong and Chiang Mai.

The number of the injured in total was 2,274, amounting to 321 fewer persons injured than reported last year. The northern province of Chiang Rai recorded the most injuries, followed by Bangkok and Nakhon

Pathom.

[Jai Dee]

Phuket is nearing its casualties ceiling for Songkran road casualties

The number of fatalities remains constant over the '10 dangerous days' period in Phuket so far, but injuries have increased to 49, while the number of traffic law violators has topped 2,117 individuals.

The road safety coordination center in Phuket has reported on road accidents in the province from April 7th up until April 12th. 3 people had died from road accidents so far whereas 49 have been injured. The province is aiming to keep fatalities at 4 at most and injuries at no higher than 53.

Regarding arrests, policemen in the province inspected 23,876 vehicles in total over the April 7th to 12th period. 2,117 of these were charged, with the majority charged with not carrying driver's license.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 April 2006

[george]

Update:

The Road Safety Centre said this afternoon that the death toll on highways and roads has risen to 254 after six days of the 10-day Songkran holiday period.

The centre said the 15 deaths in Nakhon Ratchasima made that province the worst.for safety.

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-13

[george]

Nakhon Ratchasima has highest number of road accidents

BANGKOK: -- Nakhon Ratchasima has the highest number of road fatalities after six days of the Songkran holiday period, followed by Lop Buri and Songkhla, as the nationwide toll went up to 254, the Road Safety Centre reported on Thursday.

"Nakhon Ratchasima tops the list with 15 people killed in road accidents. It is followed by Lop Buri and Songkhla with 10 each, and Chiang Mai and Rayong with nine each," the centre's secretary, Anucha Mokkavet, said.

A total of 694 road accidents took place April 12, claiming 60 lives and leaving 764 injured. The total number of people injured so far is 3,038.

Anuch said most of the accidents were caused by drunk driving and exceeding the speed limit.

Motorcycles were involved in the most number of accidents, followed by pickups and cars, Anucha said, adding that most of the mishaps took place between 4pm and 8pm.

He said eight provinces remained free of accidents: Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Mukdahan, Pattani, Phrae, Ranong, Samut Songkram and Amnat Charoen.

--The Nation 2006-04-13

[Tompa]

Had the unfortunate experience to see first hand today the horrible effects of Song Kran celebration. Was driving in Chanthaburi around 6 Pm and drove past an accident that must have just happened. One guy was lying on the ground not moving and an awful amount of blood around him. I sincerely hope he made it but it sure didn’t look good (a number of people were trying to help him). He had apparently driven straight into a group of people (on a motorbike) standing on the side of the road as some other guys were lying around (less injured) and a table was overturned.

Every year the Thai Government announces that this year they will crack down on the Song Kran celebrations, but it’s always the same – hundreds and hundreds of people dead. If they are really serious about this, why don’t they ban alcohol sales for the whole Song Kran week? They do it before elections and since most accidents during Song Kran are alcohol related it would make sense.

Tompa

[wilko]

Ban everything....just a moments thought would have revealed how ludicrous such an idea would be......so ludicrous that in Thailand they might even think it was a good idea.

As I pointed out earlier, in the UK the death toll actually falls a Xmas/New year, the boosiest time of year in that country. No ban there just education...and that's where the answer lies. There is no quick-fix, just a long hard slog which as an emerging economy/nation like Thailand will do.

The motor car is recent here and safety campaigns are in their infancy, but they have one advantage..they can look at other countries and see what has worked and what hasn't.

[chrismangel]

Yesterday evening I drove my sister in law home from Nongchok to Latkrabang.It is about 30km.I saw 7 accidents with motorbikes .Can anyone beat this record?

How awfull it was but I was happy that my daughter(16 years) was one of the passengers because last month she wanted a moterbike for her birthday present and I did'nt give her one.Now she understands why.

[Maejo Man]

As I pointed out earlier, in the UK the death toll actually falls a Xmas/New year, the boosiest time of year in that country. No ban there just education...and that's where the answer lies. There is no quick-fix, just a long hard slog which as an emerging economy/nation like Thailand will do.

The motor car is recent here and safety campaigns are in their infancy, but they have one advantage..they can look at other countries and see what has worked and what hasn't.

That's exactly what Australia did in the face of a rising road toll each year. Driving tests became more stringent, policing of roads and highways were increased, as were fines for breaches of traffic laws. Result.......In under five years, the road toll has been halved!!

All the sensible things were included such as banning the use of mobile phones while driving Imaging that happening in Thailand, certainly not at this moment in time. Hopefully soon

[george]

Songkran Traffic Update:

Songkran road toll nears 350

BANGKOK: -- The Road Safety Centre said this afternoon that the death toll on the country's highways has risen to 343 after seven days of the designated 10-day Songkran holiday.

Thursday, which was the actual New Year Day in the traditional calendar, claimed 89 lives in road accidents, said Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanit .

He reported that 4,199 people were injured in the 3,736 accidents nationwide.

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-14

[Pattaya_Fox]

....and the madness and carnage goes on.....looks like it could be record numbers for deaths this year despite all the rhetoric from the authorities.

What a tragic waste........

[Maejo Man]

Two more days of it up north, and then the the homeward journey starts. Days of fun in the sun, and far too tired to drive long distances. There is always, unfortunately, a peak at the end of the festivities, I just hope everybody gets home safely.

[Jai Dee]

19 people died from road accidents over April 7-12, in the 8 northern provinces

Six of the 10 dangerous days have passed, with 19 fatalities yielded from the eight northern provinces so far.

Provincial Police Region 5 Commissioner Phanuphong Singhra Na Ayutthaya (ภาณุพงศ์ สิงหรา ณ อยุธยา) spoke of road accident statistics for the '10 dangerous days' period. Up until the end of April 12th, 19 people have died and 443 people have been injured in the eight provinces up north. Analysis found that combined tolls from Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son contributed to more than half of the total amount of fatalities. Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanuphong said this was due to the provinces receiving the most tourists. The majority of accidents were caused by drunk driving, speeding, and failure to wear helmets. Motorcycles were the predominant vehicles involved in road accidents this year.

The Region 5 police commissioner indicated that although only four days remain, officials can not yet take the situation lightly. Responsible units have already rearranged their working plans to accommodate tourists making the trip back home. April 15th will be the day with the highest number of people making the return trip, and additional officials will be deployed onto the roads.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

No Songkran fatalities in Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi province has seen no road fatalities during the Songkran Festival.

Mrs. Somjet Promsunthorn (สมเจตน์ พรหมสุนทร), head of the Ratchaburi Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, reports that the province has yet to see road fatalities during the Songkran Festival, but adds that there have so far been 19 road accidents with 23 injuries, 15 male, and 8 female. The majority of the accidents occurred on provincial highways.

The Ratchaburi Municipal area is still the area with the highest number of road incidents to date.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Three fatalities in Ubon Ratchathani

After 7 days the death tally in Ubon Ratchathani province during the Songkran Festival has increased to 3.

Mr. Wanchai Suthin (วันชัย สุทิน), deputy governor of Ubon Ratchathani province, revealed that the past 7 days in Ubon Ratchathani saw 3 fatalities, with the most recent passing away on April 13 due to a road collission. Mr. Wanchai reports that a total of 36 road accidents occurred in the province, with 43 injuries involving 32 males, and 11 females.

Traffic infractions reached 7,372, with most of the cases involving driving without a license, followed by riding a motorcycle without a safety helmet.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 April 2006

[wilko]

As I pointed out earlier, in the UK the death toll actually falls a Xmas/New year, the boosiest time of year in that country. No ban there just education...and that's where the answer lies. There is no quick-fix, just a long hard slog which as an emerging economy/nation like Thailand will do.

The motor car is recent here and safety campaigns are in their infancy, but they have one advantage..they can look at other countries and see what has worked and what hasn't.

That's exactly what Australia did in the face of a rising road toll each year. Driving tests became more stringent, policing of roads and highways were increased, as were fines for breaches of traffic laws. Result.......In under five years, the road toll has been halved!!

All the sensible things were included such as banning the use of mobile phones while driving Imaging that happening in Thailand, certainly not at this moment in time. Hopefully soon

I think they banned the use of mobiles whilst driving here about 2/3 years ago.....legislation has no effect unless it is implemented or adhered to. Education lets people make their own decisons.

Edited April 15, 2006 by wilko

[Maejo Man]

I think they banned the use of mobiles whilst driving here about 2/3 years ago.....legislation has no effect unless it is implemented or adhered to. Education lets people make their own decisons.

They talked about it at length a while ago, but got so much negative feedback from "vips" and other house members, that it never got off the ground. Sad really, but there again, who would police it? Just another source of "tea money" for the BIB

[Jai Dee]

Surin Governor told officials to step up strictness over alcohol inspection and speeding

Surin Governor Somphong Anuyutthaphong (สมพงษ์ อนุยุทธพงศ์) has reiterated to officials at road checkpoints throughout the province to stringently check on alcohol levels of drivers and keep tap on speeding during people's return trip to the metropolis.

Mr. Somphong said he has urged all 51 main checkpoints and the other thousand sub-checkpoints to increase strictness in inspecting alcohol levels of drivers as well as to increase measures to control speeding. He said that this period is the time when most people make their ways back to work after celebrating Songkran, and warned that speeding would cause serious accidents and large numbers of fatalities.

Over the first 8 days of the '10 dangerous days' period, Surin Province has had 11 road fatalities and 116 injuries.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

No deaths reported during Songkran in Ranong province

Ranong (ระนอง) Province has reported no fatalities over the first eighth days of the “ten dangerous days” during Songkran Festival.

Head of the Ranong Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Jesada Wattananurak (เจษฎา วัฒนานุรักษ์) however stated that there have been 4-7 road accidents in the province. He indicated that the province will carry on with the campaign for reducing road accidents. Checkpoints have also been established in the provincial risky areas.

Mr. Jesada pointed out that the accidents were caused by motorbikes and drunk drivers and the accidents occurred during 14:00 to 21:00 hours.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Transport Ministry's road safety center reported 393 road fatalities so far during Songkran

The Transport Ministry's road safety center has reported an increase of 50 fatalities over the Songkran period, while injuries have increased by 780 individuals to 4,979.

The accident casualties tally over the first 8 days of the '10 dangerous days' period has been concluded by the road safety center. The 4,199 accumulated injuries marked at the end of April 13th rose to 4,979 at the end of April 14th. Deaths increased from 343 to 393 persons.

There were 3,736 acculated accidents up until the 13th, and this number increased by 699 to 4,435 at the end of Friday.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Don't Drive Drunk Foundation pushing to amend law prohibiting reimbursing medical expense by drunk drivers

Don't Drive Drunk Foundation President Damrong Phutthatan (ดำรง พุฒตาล) agrees with the amendment of law which would disallow medical expenses to be paid for injured drunk drivers.

Mr. Damrong indicated that law amendment would be another way to benefit the prevention effort against accidents caused by drunk driving. Recently there has been efforts to amend the law in aspects such as disallowing civil servants involved in drunk driving from drawing medical expenses, or disallowing the withdrawing of medical expenses from social security, for non-civil workers. He said several other agencies in addition to his would join in to find proactive preventative measures against such accidents, especially by means of making the law more strict.

The head of the foundation also spoke of causes of accidents over the '10 dangerous days' period, where he said most accidents previously resulted from drunk driving. The highway police are currently reporting speeding, sleeping at the wheels, and drunk driving as the causes of road accidents during this period.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 April 2006

[jdinasia]

What a GREAT Songkran in Kanchanaburi .... met a few TV guys ... threw some water ... drank some beer and relaxed ALOT!

incredible weekend! (4 days whatever!) And cheaper than staying at home in BKK would have been!

Total number of road accidents seen ------ ZERO ...

Total number of people hurt on Motorcycles witnessed ------- Zero

Total number of people that had fun! -------- tens of thousands!

[Maejo Man]

Staggering figures, but lower that estimated.

Road toll at 441 as holiday nears end

The death toll in road accidents nationwide during during the first nine days of the 10-day Songkran festival was 441, on Saturday, with another 5,533 injured, Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said.

ACM Kongsak, who is deputy director of the National Road Safety Command Centre, said that on Saturday, the ninth day of the Songkran festival, there were 506 road accidents with 48 deaths and 554 persons injured.

Drunken driving remained the No 1 cause of the accidents, followed by excessive speed. Motorcycles were involved in most road accidents, followed by pick-up trucks.

Statistically, the northern province of Chiang Rai reported the most accidents and the northern province of Phitsanulok recorded the highest number of fatalities at 19, followed by the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima at 16.

Only three provinces have been casualty-free so far - Phrae, Ranong and Samut Songkram.

Thailand's long Songkran holiday is widely known for its high casualties from road accidents as a large number of Thais, particularly those who work in Bangkok, travel to family reunions upcountry to celebrate the water festival and traditional new year.

The Centre has aimed at reducing this year's death toll by at least 15 per cent from last year.

Marshal Kongsak said that Sunday was the last day of the 10-day road safety campaign and most travellers would return to Bangkok though some are remaining up country in their hometowns to vote in the April 19 Senate election.

The minister said he had instructed highway police and other officials on duty to strictly monitor drivers who are drinking to take them off the road. - (TNA)

[jdinasia]

low numbers this year ... and considering the increase of people on the road versus a typical week ... not too bad!

[Jai Dee]

Road fatalities in Chiang Mai reached 10

The total tally of road fatalities in Chiang Mai during the Songkran festival is now 10, with 1 fatality and 38 injuries in the last 24 hours, the most prevalent cause of accidents still being drunk-driving.

Accident reports in the last 24 hours from April 14 in Chiang Mai has confirmed 1 extra fatality and 38 extra injuries on the road. Chiang Mai province now has a total of 10 road fatalities, and 170 injured drivers. The majority of vehicles involved in road accidents were motorcycles, and the most common cause of road accidents was drunk-driving.

The Road Safety Center of Chiang Mai is adjusting its working method to prevent any further accidents from occurring, and has firmly resolved not to let road fatalities in the province exceed 17 during the Songkran festival.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Acting PM is confident that the fatalities during the 10 Dangerous Days will not exceed 506.

Acting Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) is confident that the fatalities from road accidents during the “10 Dangerous Days” will not be more than 506.

Referring to the government effort to curb the road toll during Songkran Festival, Pol. Gen Chitchai said that authorities have done their best to keep the number as low as possible; however, the fatalities also depend on other factors.

In the meantime, he thanked motorists for their cooperation in following traffic regulations, contributing to a reduction of road accidents. He hoped the campaign would instil safety awareness in motorists and that they will keep awareness even outside the greeting seasons.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Songkran death toll tops at 476

The death toll from road accidents during the ten-day watch out period related to Songkran holidays topped at 476, caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said Monday.

On Sunday, the last day of the ten-day watch out period, 386 road accidents occurred and 35 people killed, raising the death toll to 476, he said.

Kongsak said 5,327 road accidents happened during the ten-day period and 5,985 people were injured.

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - April 17, 2006 : Last updated 11:48 am