BANGKOK, Jan 3 – Thailand’s death toll from road accidents during the “Seven Dangerous Days” of the New Year’s holidays has reached 365, up from last year’s record.
Deputy Interior Minister Chat Kuldilok said there were 3,176 accidents between December 27 and January 2, up by 83 accidents from last year’s record.
He said the accumulated death toll climbed to 365, or 29 deaths more than last year, while the number of injured was recorded at 3,329, or 46 less than last year.
The minister said Trat remained the only province with no record of any accidents during the “Seven Dangerous Days”, while there was no deaths from road accidents in six provinces including Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Phangnga, Ranong, Nong Khai and Uttaradit.
On New Year’s Day alone, 34 persons reportedly died in road accidents, while 293 persons were injured. The highest daily death toll was recorded at eight in the central province of Angthong.
The highest cumulative death toll was recorded at 18 deaths in Nakhon Pathom, while the highest accumulated injured was at 147 cases in Chiang Mai.
The major causes of road accidents were drunken driving and speeding, with most accidents–about 82 per cent– involving motorcycles.
The minister said he is satisfied with this year’s “Seven Dangerous Days” campaign although it missed its target as more deaths were reported.
Mr Chat said there were several factors for the increasing death toll. He said there were more cars on the road and more people travellinged during the New Year celebrations due to good weather.
