A total of 138 people were killed and 1,002 others injured in 1,000 road accidents throughout the country during 4 days of the Songkran break, from April 11 to 14 , according to the Road Accident Prevention and Mitigation Command Centre.
Speeding accounted for 44.4% of the accidents, drunk driving for 24.90% and poor visibility for 14.52%. Motorcycles were involved in 77.20% of the accidents and 85.89% of them took place on straight roads.
The centre reported that 22.41% of the accidents occurred between 3pm and 6pm, 19.50% occurred between 6pm and 9pm and 16.60% between noon and 3pm.
Chiang Rai had the highest number of road accidents, with 11, and the highest number of casualties, at 13. Sa Kaeo had the highest death toll, with six.
Deputy Education Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said today that the situation this year is better than last year, with fewer road accidents and casualties.
He said all authorities concerned had been instructed to enforce the traffic laws strictly and to get tough with unruly drivers, while ensuring that no alcohol was sold to under-20s.
While still a public holiday today, Songkran revellers have begun to return to Bangkok, to avoid getting stuck in the congestion expected tomorrow on main arterial roads.
Many passengers were seen at the bus terminal in Nakhon Ratchasima province today, starting their journeys back to Bangkok.
Many said they want to return to Bangkok a day early, so that they can enjoy a day of rest, before resuming work on Thursday.
Chatchaval Promtham, acting managing director of the state-run Transport Company, said he estimates that about 100,000 passengers will use their bus services each day until Thursday, adding that the company has arranged 4,800 buses per day to meet the demand.
