Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, April 16, 2002
Over 500 Dead on Road During Thai New Year Holiday
According to Thai Public Health Ministry, the Songkran festival road death toll had climbed to 528, with about 53,000 people injured, the Nation newspaper reported Tuesday.
According to Thai Public Health Ministry, the Songkran festival road death toll had climbed to 528, with about 53,000 people injured, the Nation newspaper reported Tuesday.
Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan was quoted as saying that on average every hour three people were killed and 279 injured in road accidents between April 11 and 15.
A total of 367 of the dead, or 70 percent, had been killed in car crashes, she said, adding that the majority of victims were motorcycle pillion riders who were not wearing crash helmets.
Meanwhile, Maj-General Somkid Bunthanom, commander of the Highway Police, said that many accidents during Songkran involved vehicles with defective parts and speeding drivers. He urged all motorists to check their vehicles thoroughly before their return journeys.