Chiang Rai Takes Top Spot Again on Day 2 of “Songkrans 7 Dangerous Days”

CHIANG RAI – On the second day of Songkrans “7 DANGEROUS DAYS” a total of 99 people have been killed in traffic accidents, and 1,085 others injured, with about 1,500 motorbikes and cars impounded from drunk drivers.

Chiang Rai province reported the highest number of accidents (38) and injured people (41). Provinces with the highest death toll were Buri Ram, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phetchabun, with five each.

Chiang Rai, Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn visited road checkpoints set up in many areas to minimize road accidents. The checkpoints have services to provide commuters with food and desserts that would help prevent people from falling asleep behind the wheel.

On Thursday alone, there were 579 accidents which killed 60 people and injured 624 others on Thailand’s roads.

Thailand’s Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the main cause of death and injuries in the second day remained drunk driving at 42.83%), speeding (24.35%), motorcycles accidents (78.84%).

He said most traffic accidents happened on straight sections of roads and of provincial highways, where drivers trying passing, most of the accidents happened between 400pm-8.00pm.

The average age of the traffic victims is 50 and over.

Col Sirichan Ngathong, deputy spokesperson of the National Council for Peace and Order, said that on Wednesday and Thursday, police and soldiers prosecuted 38,546 traffic violators, seized 4,628 driving licenses and impounded 940 motorcycles and 535 other vehicles from drunk drivers.

Pol Maj Gen Chat Supakaewnarong, highway police commander, said traffic on main roads from Bangkok and the East to the North and the Northeast remained high on Friday, but was less congested than Wednesday.