Songkran road toll: 45 dead, 557 injured on first day

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donthani
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Songkran road toll: 45 dead, 557 injured on first day

Post by donthani » April 13, 2008, 6:59 am

BANGKOK (TNA): A total of 45 persons were killed and 557 injured in 477 road accidents nationwide yesterday, the first of “seven days of danger” in the annual Songkran water festival celebrating Thai New Year.

The accidents happened as people headed to their home provinces to celebrate the Songkran festival with family and friends.

Former Phuket Governor Pongpayome Vasaputi, now permanent secretary for Interior and committee member of the government’s Road Safety Center, said that the toll exceeded that for the same period last year, when 435 highway accidents were reported, with 41 persons killed and 514 injured.

In yesterday’s tally, Prachuap Khiri Khan suffered the most, with five deaths reported, said K. Pongpayome.

The long holiday for Thai New Year starts today and ends next Wednesday.

Driving while intoxicated, followed by speeding and reckless driving, were listed by police as the main causes for yesterday’s accidents, which mainly involved motorcycles, K. Pongpayome said.

Police have set up 3,009 checkpoints throughout the country in a bid to reduce road accidents during the festival. http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=6406 :cry:



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Post by saint » April 13, 2008, 8:00 am

im not surprised that pratchuap khiri khan suffered the most, as ive been on that road, the A4 many times and it really is the worst driving ive seen in thailand, never mind the holidays, when thier all liquered up. a lot of trippers from bangkok especially at weekends, and it seem that once they get out of the city, they all think there on a race track, without realising that even racing drivers use thier mirrors, and not just for picking thier zits.

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Irish Alan
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Post by Irish Alan » April 13, 2008, 8:12 am

On Phosri Rd yesterday there is a guy going along with the missus on the back and a small child (2?) in between standing on the seat. 4 adult guys (possibly special needs) are with kids and seem to let the buses and trucks go by to wait for this motorbike and yep they gave it to them full force in the face... oh and none of them had helmets. Staying upright on a motorcycle after this really is an art form... I can't even do it sober and dry.

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Songkran death toll rises to 104

Post by donthani » April 14, 2008, 6:41 am

Death toll of road accidents during the seven-day watch out period since Friday rose to 104, the Road Safety Center announced Sunday.

Chaisawat Kittipornpaibool, permanent secretary for transport who is member of the Road Safety Committee, said the second day of the watch-out period or Saturday saw 743 road accidents happen and 59 people killed in the accidents.

He said 854 others were injured in the accidents, 41.59 per cent of which were caused by drunk driving.

He said a total of 1,220 road accidents happened during the fist two days of the watch out period in which 104 people were killed and 1,411 others injured.

The Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... d=30070711 :cry:

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izzix
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Post by izzix » April 15, 2008, 1:06 am

[quote="Irish Alan"]On Phosri Rd yesterday there is a guy going along with the missus on the back and a small child (2?) in between standing on the seat. 4 adult guys (possibly special needs) are with kids and seem to let the buses and trucks go by to wait for this motorbike and yep they gave it to them full force in the face... oh and none of them had helmets. Staying upright on a motorcycle after this really is an art form... I can't even do it sober and dry.[/quote]

woooaahhh , thats nothing .see it rain hard and they are 4up with them holding umbrellas to fend off the torrential rain .and wearing slippery wet flipflops to control the pedals.

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Post by wazza » April 15, 2008, 1:55 am

I drove from Chon Buri to Udon yesterday and passed approx 300 odd Police checks inc the Random Breath stations in approx 7 hours all up and how many vehicles did i see pulled over and checked during this time ???

YEP 0 ! ZERO , all sitting down and eating laughing, playing Sonkran and watching the day go by.

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BKKSTAN
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Post by BKKSTAN » April 15, 2008, 9:50 am

Protect and serve :lol: :lol: :lol: They will make some money stops when they really want to party!Until then,they are probably discussing and celebrating about how somebodies of ''great respect''scammed over 3 million Baht from the rice storage project!
Dreams dreams,someday maybe they will have greater opportunities! :lol:

laphanphon

Post by laphanphon » April 15, 2008, 4:17 pm

agree with you there wazza, been doing a bit too much driving myself past couple days, and many stops, an no inspection or enforcement of any kind, with one pleasant exception. today between chiang khan and nong khai, hi stan, after pak chom, 3 officers in center lane, politely w/smiles, taking notice, stopping almost every vehicle, window down, hi/sniff, eyes ok, happy songkran. if only....... 8)

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Post by Thai_1_On » April 15, 2008, 10:46 pm

After 3 days of driving, well riding in the back of the pick-up I didn't see any accidents on the roads =D> I have been out to the farm everyday (Ban Lai) off the road to Ban Tad and again no problems. The traffic around the lake is hazardous to say the least but again no trouble.

I did pass a number of check points and the only thing that happened was the officers would wave at the "falang" in the back of the truck.

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Post by BKKSTAN » April 16, 2008, 6:02 am

Songkran death toll rises to 229


A total of 49 people were killed in road accidents on Monday, bringing to 229 the accumulated death toll of road accidents during the first four days of the Songkran festival watch-out 7-day period.

Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsup said 711 road accidents occurred on Monday, killing 49 people and injuring 801 others.

From Friday to Monday, 2,949 road accidents occurred, killing 229 people and injuring 3,315 people, Chaiya said.

The Nation

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Post by Roadman » April 16, 2008, 10:00 am

We have been on the roads between Udon, Khon Kaen and Nong Saeng back roads over most of the Songkran days. Generally the cops on the main drag have been pulling over vehicles or more so motor bikes at possibly 50% of their stop points. On the minor provincal roads there is virtually no stopping and there is some very pissed people around on motor bikes.
I have come close to running a few over a couple of times. Mainly where they are pissed and throwing water in the middle of the road and you are bearing down from the other direction.
I can understand the cops relucance a bit as when we were in Khon Kaen for day 2 of the water battles the cops were getting constantly watered down. After 3 days of that I would feel like pulling the revolver out and shooting the next water thrower :shock: .
"And if you listen very hard
The tune will come to you at last
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not to roll"
LZ (Page/Plant)

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Post by beer monkey » April 16, 2008, 3:47 pm

After five of the seven "Dangerous Driving Days" campaign for Songkran, officials said on Wednesday that 276 people had died on the Thai roads, and 3,537 other injured.
and rising.

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