Road deaths hit 71 as Songkran holiday begins

The death toll from road accidents during the first two days of the seven-day Songkran holiday travel period has risen to 71, with 50 people killed in 208 accidents on Saturday. A further 185 people were injured.

Speeding accounted for 45.71% of the accidents on Saturday, followed by drunk driving at 24.76%. Motorcycles were involved in 61% of the incidents.

Lampang recorded the highest number of accidents on Saturday, with 12 cases, while Nakhon Ratchasima and Phitsanuloke reported the highest number of fatalities, at three each.

Over the first two days, 71 people have died and 317 have been injured. Nan recorded the highest number of accidents, with 17 cases.

Four deaths were reported in both Phitsanuloke and Prachin Buri. No fatalities were reported in 39 provinces.

Teerapat Kachamat, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said the Road Safety Command Centre remains focused on preventive measures, including outreach to communities to discourage drink-driving and urging motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets.