59 killed, 765 injured in first two days of Songkran festival

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) - Despite government attempts to reduce road accidents during Songkran festival or Thailand’s traditional New Year, a total of 59 persons died and 765 injured in road accidents nationwide during the first two days of this year’s Songkran festival’s ‘seven dangerous days’. Statistics compiled by the Road Safety Centre of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation announced that a total of 723 road accidents took place throughout the country, during the first two days of the seven-day campaign to reduce road accidents during the annual festival. Nakhon Ratchasima, considered gateway to the Northeast, recorded most road accidents and fatalities during the first two days. A total of 36 accidents took place during the period, killing six persons and wounding 40. Most road accidents were chiefly resulted from drunken driving and speeding. (TNA)