Concerns over road accidents during Songkran

BANGKOK, April 7 (TNA) - Several government agencies have expressed concerns over road accidents during the upcoming Songkran festival, Thailand’s traditional New Year, and urged celebrants to stay away from consuming alcohol. The annual water splashing festival falls between April 13 – 15. Hundreds of holidaymakers were either injured or died from road accidents every year in the past because of either speed driving or taking alcohol. High-ranking government agencies from the ministries of Interior and the Social Development and Human Security plus the Thai Health Promotion Foundation held a press conference on Thursday. They cited a poll on Songkran celebration last year which said that up to 55.9 per cent of people were worried of quarreling, 40.9 per cent over using high pressure water equipment and 38.6 per cent on road accidents during the festival. The respondents also said alcohol consumption was the major cause of these problems. The Interior Ministry has earlier organised over 3,200 alcohol-free zoning areas nationwide during Songkran and it plans to impose restrictions in every district of every province during this year’s festival. Supreeda Adulyanon, manager of Thai Health Promotion Foundation, said during the press conference, that concerned officials have to stay alert on accidents occurring from several incidents including violent quarreling and drunk driving during Songkran festival. Mr. Supreda said his office has successfully organised alcohol-free zoning free areas in several provinces, including Bangkok, in past years and it hopes to do it again this year. (TNA)