Twenty-nine people died and 310 were injured in 313 road accidents on Thursday, the sixth day of the seven-day Songkran holiday.
Third day of Songkran holiday: 54 killed and 373 injured
It is again the infamous seven dangerous days during the Songkran holiday, which cause a massacre on Thai roads every year. On day three, 54 people died and 373 were injured, in 388 traffic accidents on Monday.
Fewer road deaths during Songkran
Now that the Songkran holiday is almost over, we can take stock of the traditional 7 dangerous days on the roads of Thailand. And that balance seems positive.
The balance can be made after the Seven Dangerous Days during the New Year holidays in Thailand. This shows that 40 percent of all road deaths. The good news is that the number of accidents involving alcohol has fallen by 23 percent.
Seven dangerous days on the road: 98 fatalities in two days
The end-of-year holidays have started in Thailand. Many Thai use these days to go back to their native village or to visit relatives elsewhere. This puts extra pressure on the roads. Traffic congestion, tired drivers and the use of alcohol turns out to be a deadly mix: The Seven Dangerous Days.
Four provincial police commanders have been transferred as disciplinary punishment for the high number of road deaths and injuries during the seven dangerous days around Songkran.
The seven dangerous days around Songkran are over, but the numbers speak volumes. The government has failed to reduce the number of road fatalities by 7%.
The balance of 5 of the seven dangerous days on the road during Songkran is disappointing. The target for this year: 7% less fatalities and injuries in traffic will therefore not be achieved.
Wednesday was the first day of the infamous 7 days around Songkran and that already brought the counter to 39 road deaths. Drunk driving was the cause of 40,49% of accidents, followed by speeding at 26,62%, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsuwat said on Thursday.
Yesterday the first day of the infamous 'Seven dangerous days' started. The roads to the northeast of Thailand are congested. The migration is the start of the celebration of the Thai new year: Songkran
Seven dangerous days less deadly than last year
According to the government, the road safety campaign during the New Year holidays (Seven dangerous days) was a success. The number of traffic accidents and deaths or injuries has decreased this year. The number of accidents fell by 1,5 percent and the number of fatalities by 11,5 percent.
Seven dangerous days: 317 road fatalities on the 5th day
The balance after day five of the 'seven dangerous days' is 317 road deaths in 3.056 accidents, including 3.188 injuries. Most fatalities occurred in Si Sa Ket province, most injured in Udon Thani. On January 1 alone, 71 people were killed.
The first two days of the 'seven dangerous days' from December 28 – January 3, counted 1.053 accidents (previous year 1.183) with 92 deaths (115) and 1.107 injuries (1.275). Motorbikes were involved in 78 percent of the accidents.
Drivers in public transport, including bus drivers, who are suspected of drinking alcohol will be banned from driving for the period during the turn of the year. This driving ban applies to 61 places in the country, where many accidents occur.
The 'Seven Dangerous Days' around Songkran are over so the balance can be made. This year there are more accidents and more injuries to report, the number of deaths is lower than last year.
So far fewer road deaths during 'Seven Dangerous Days'
After five of the Seven Dangerous Days, the death toll stands at 283, which is significantly less than last year's 338 road deaths. The number of injured has increased and amounts to 3.087 (2.891) and the number of traffic accidents is 2.985 (2.724).
The balance of the first two days of this year's 'Seven Dangerous Day' shows good and bad news. For example, the number of road deaths has decreased, but the number of accidents and injuries has increased.
The government has taken various measures this year to reduce the number of road casualties. Strangely enough, some measures have already been reversed under pressure from public opinion.
Songkran holiday: 'Seven dangerous days'
The Thai roads are dangerous, especially around Songkran when a real population migration takes place. The government tries every year to reduce the number of road casualties during the so-called 'seven dangerous days', but hardly succeeds.
New Year's holiday: Road death toll rises to 426
On day six of the seven dangerous days on the road, the sad balance is: 426 dead and 3761 injured after 3579 traffic accidents.
On New Year's Day, police pulled 559 vehicles off the road because the driver was drunk or committed a traffic violation. The counter is now at 1.011. This concerns 810 motorcycles and 191 cars.
'Seven dangerous days': More road casualties and thousands of driver's licenses confiscated
Like every year, the days around the New Year holidays in Thailand are notorious. They are called the 'seven dangerous days', where the combination of excessive alcohol consumption and overcrowded roads invariably results in many road casualties.