Thirty-seven people were killed and 351 others injured in 349 road accidents in Thailand on Thursday, the first of the seven-day New Year holiday period, according to the Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

41.55% of the accidents were caused by speeding and 23.50%involved drunk driving. 81.51% of the accidents involved motorcycles. 83.09% of the accidents occurred on straight roads, 43.27% on highways and 28.37% on local roads.

Most accidents occurred between 6pm and 7pm. Most of the fatalities were aged between 30 and 39.

Lamphun Province recorded the highest number of road accidents, with 13, but Prachuap Khiri Khan recorded the most deaths, with three.

65,530 people face legal action. These include 20,920 for driving without a license, 18,250 for not wearing a crash helmet, 6,315 for not wearing a safety belt and 5,391 for speeding.

Boontham Lertsukheekasem, director-general of Department of Public Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said authorities have strictly enforced the law, especially against those who are at risk of causing road accidents.

He pleaded with motorists and motorcyclists to follow traffic rules strictly and to report accidents to the 1784 hotline so help can be sent to the scene promptly.