Thailand Songkran traffic death toll exceeds 300

BANGKOK, April 15 (TNA) - Six days of Songkran festival in Thailand have killed more than 300 people in nearly 3,000 traffic accidents nationwide. The Road Safety Directing Center, under Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, reported that on April 15 there were 509 traffic accidents in which 538 people were injured and up to 55 others were killed. A spike in the number of accidents was recorded in Phitsanulok province this year while Surin province posted the highest casualty rate. Although the Songkran festival concludes on Wednesday, water fights still dominate the streets of many provinces. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that more than 470,000 foreigners visited Thailand during the festival. Arrival numbers rose by 39% year-on-year and was expected to generate more than 7.5 billion baht in tourism-related revenues for the country. Meanwhile, in Mukdahan province, Sorasit Ritsorakrai, deputy provincial governor, led a delegation to Savannakhet province of Laos to attend a New Year merit-making ceremony there. Authorities in Savannakhet invited the delegation to the ceremony to enhance acknowledgement of cultures and boost relations of people on both sides of the Mekong River. (TNA)