Songkran death toll rises to 180

[LaaMok]

Songkran death toll rises to 180

 

 

A total of 76 people were killed and 1,103 others were injured in road accidents on Sunday, the third day of the 7-dangerous-day of Songkran festival, the Road Safety Monitoring Centre announced Monday.

 

Jaral Phakdeethanakul, permanent secretary for Justice Minister who is an official of the road safety centre, said 1,018 road accidents happened Sunday.

 

He said the accumulated death toll of the three first day of the seven dangerous period rose to 180.

 

He said 2,238 accidents happened from Friday to Sunday, in which 2,514 people were injured.

 

Jaral said drunk driving was still the main cause of the accidents and 84.18 accidents involved motorcycles.

 

The Nation

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30070756

[timorno]

The yearly songkran bodycount... a bit like the japanese new-year-rice-ball-victim count which is quite popular in the German newspapers

[Manggaawn]

Ive been holed up for the last two days. Supplies are stocked. Got a bird, and a phone to call delivery. Just gotta last a few more days. No one call a meet down the Half Dozen please. I feel compelled to attend.

[FatBob]

Plenty more dead by the time it is over. Same thing every year. I heard this year the Thai government are running adverts asking people not to get pissed and drive, looks like it is not working.

 

FatBob.

[marc1878]

Its not just the pissed drivers though, its the even drunker farangs running up to motorbikers and squirting them point blank in the face. In my last trip over songkran i witnessed around 8 motorcycle accidents, all cause by water being squirted.

[yamat]

not surprisd about the numbers , a few yers ago in phuket, i was riding along minding my own business when a pick up truck sped by and they threw a whole bucket of ice cold water, ice cubes and all over me and my G/F , all in good spirits i know, they thought it was hillarious but nearly had us off the road and into a thai family sitting on a wall . never called the police as couldnt afford the fine. that happy Son kran everyone .

[jo2]

i heard that alcohol might be banned on the first and the last day of Songkarn festival!!!! sounds great idea but not a good campaign

[Harry Brown]

I wonder how this compares to a normal week

[17hrs2freedom]

wow, dying because of songkran. what a shitty way to die.

 

 

-17

[nicktuck]

things do get bad during this time

[dART-Design]

I hope my teerak is safe.

[Panudate]

It surprises me that anyone would aim a water cannon at someone on a fricken moterbike! WTF do they think will happen?

[foxracing]

buddah will say if its time or not....not human actions

[deano]

my gf always goes away this time of the year she had a bad accident one year fell off her bike after bein drenched in ice water

[bolly]

Sad news for so many. I am curious about the kind of public awareness campaigns that are spread throughout Thailand to try to deal with this. Seems like government, businesses and other organizations could work together to create something to deal with this.

 

In Japan they passed a new law about drinking and driving. Made the fine 500,000 yen (that is about 5000 us dollars) But they coupled it with massive campaigns promoted by the liquor industry and serving businesses. Also, the taxi services remade their daiko service (diako is where you have a taxi company drive you and your car home) offered much cheaper services and again used massive promotion. (for example---if I use diako service--I pay the meter fare for my ride home and the cost to bring my car is only 1000 yen (ten us). Beats the hell out of 500,000yen.

 

It is working too. DD has gone down.

 

bolly

[The Mook]

quote: buddah will say if its time or not....not human actions

 

Brings new meaning to "stupid"

[lewis]

Thats loads of deaths i am here now and my 1st time for songkran and i can belive why there are so many deaths it crazy!

[Lok Jit]

After getting bombed by hi pressure water guns and eyes full of powder while driving a bike 7 yrs was enough for me..Decided to go to Cambodia for at least 2 weeks..Nothing happened there..

[altec123]

I must be a bit slow tonight. How can you have 84.18 accidents involving motorcycles?

[chiller]

April is the month when I take my yearly holiday back to Oz. They can shove Songkran up their arse sideways. It might be part of Thai culture and tradition, but down here in Pattaya it is out of control and not the way it was intended to be. Well, two days ago I arrived safely back in paradise and there won't be another Songkran until next year.

Edited April 27, 2008 by chiller

[ORBY126]

i heard that alcohol might be banned on the first and the last day of Songkarn festival!!!! sounds great idea but not a good campaign

it will never happen . songkram without booze. try to tell a scotsman hogmany without a wee dram.sounds like alousy idea to me. just dont target motorbikes.ORBY126

[ORBY126]

JUST RETURNED TO UK MUST ADMIT TO REALLY ENJOYING THE LAST DAY OF THE FESTIVAL, ALL THE SINGING AND DANCING WAS GREAT . BUT WHY DOAS IT GO ON SO LONG 7 DAYS OF WET TOO MUCH WHY NOT RESTRICT TO 3DAYS. LESS TIME LESS ACCIDENTS AND MORE ENJOYMENT. DONT TARGET MOTOBIES.