Thailand's Songkran traffic accidents fall over 10%
The number of traffic accidents during the first five days of the Songkran festival’s road safety campaign week fell 10.4% year-on-year to 1,564, Thai authorities said on April 16.
A road is covered with water, talcum and garbage in Muang district of Phitsanulok after Songkran celebrations. (Photo: Bangkok Post)The accidents killed 206 people and injured 1,593 others from April 11 to 15 as compared to 200 and 1,737 recorded in the previous year, respectively.
Out of 77 provinces, 17 were free of fatal traffic accidents so far, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said.
The northernmost province of Chiang Rai had the most traffic accidents with 61, while Nan, also in the north, had the most injured with 60. Bangkok and Chiang Rai had the most fatalities, each recording 13 cases.
The most common causes were speeding (43.2% of the accidents), drink-driving (23.9%), and cutting-in (15.3%). Motorcycles were involved in 83.8% of the total accidents.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Probation Department Ruangsak Suwaree said from April 11 to 15, there were 4,132 traffic violations, 96% of which were related to drink-driving.
Thailand’s roads are the deadliest in Southeast Asia. The World Health Organisation in 2018 ranked Thailand as the No.9 country with the highest road traffic death rate, with 32.7 deaths per 100,000 population each year./.
You should also see
April 30 Victory – Glorious milestone in national history
The Liberation of the South Day (April 30) is an occasion of great significance for all Vietnamese people. Every year, on this day, when national flags colour streets and every corner with red, the whole country recalls memories of the day to show their gratitude to older generations who devoted their lives for national freedom and independence.
See more
World
Indonesia's first thermal power plant stops operating
Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has held a press conference to inform about the country’s progress in the early decommissioning of the Cirebon-1 thermal power plant.
World
Thai central bank intervenes to stabilise currency
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) said it has intervened in currency markets at times to ease any excessive moves in the THB, adding that the current policy rate is robust and conducive to economic recovery, reported the Bangkok Post.
World
Vietnam appeals for maximum self-restraint, end to hostilities in Middle East
A representative of Vietnam appealed to all the parties concerned to exercise maximum self-restraint and to end hostilities, while addressing a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on the Middle East and Palestine situation on March 25.
World
Indonesia’s coffee exports surpass imports
Indonesia’s coffee exports have surpassed imports for 47 consecutive months since May 2020, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has reported.
World
Thailand expects wave of tourists during Golden Week
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that about 996,000 foreign tourists will visit the Southeast Asian country between April 26 and May 5, known as the Golden Week holidays in Japan, during which Chinese tourists also prefer to travel overseas.
