Day 5 of Songkran’s Seven Dangerous Days 338 Dead, 2,891 Injured

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Department of Public Disasters Prevention and Mitigation reported today 79 people died and 513 others injured in 508 cases of accidents on day 5 of Songkran.

Mrs Chaweerat Kasetsunthorn, assistant to the Minister of Culture, said from April 11-15, a total of 2,724 road mishaps were recorded with 338 fatalities, and 2,891 injuries.

Only on April 15, 79 people died and 513 were injured in a total of 508 accidents, she said.

Drunk driving was blamed as the cause of most accidents or 33.86%, followed by speeding 30.31%.

Chiang Mai has the highest cases of 136 road accidents and injuries of 144 people in the five day period, while Bangkok has the highest death toll of 15 people.

Eight provinces where there were no road fatalities are Trat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Yala, Ranong, Samut Sakhon and Nong Bua Lampoo.