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her kommer den uheldige side af Songkran Festival 2017

33 dead, 420 injured on first day of Songkran holiday

Speaking at the centre for the prevention and reduction of road accidents of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, Lt Gen Thanes Kalpruek said there were 409 road accidents reported nationwide on Tuesday.

Drink-driving was responsible for the greatest number this year, 45.48%, followed by exceeding the speed limit, 24.94%.

As usual, most of the accidents, 77.80%, involved motorcycles.

He said 65.28% of the accidents occurred on straight roads, 36.67% on highways and 32.03% on rural roads, and 29.34% occurred from 4.01pm – 8pm.

The government has set up 2,025 main checkpoints, manned by 63,299 officials, along major highways. On April 11, 603,474 vehicles were checked. A total of 93,564 were slapped with various traffic-related charges, including 27,081 for driving without a licence and 26,465 for not wearing crash helmets, Lt Gen Thanes said.

The Bangkok Post