The annual pageant of Songkran often signifies a blinding week-long celebration — however this yr’s dying toll paints an image that’s something however.
Whereas the Thai vacation is globally well-known for being the “world’s largest water battle,” the truth on the bottom is a horrific cycle of street accidents, drunk driving and reckless habits.
Within the first three days of Songkran this yr, greater than 191 deaths have been recorded with 951 accidents and 911 accidents.
Regardless of the federal government’s street security marketing campaign, enforcement of stricter drunk driving legal guidelines and elevated police checkpoints, the carnage continues.
Marking the Thai New Yr, the vacation triggers a mass exodus from main cities like Bangkok as tens of millions journey to their residence province to rejoice with household.
Fifty-one folks died in street incidents on the primary day of celebrations alone. Dashing was the main reason for fatalities (slightly below 42 per cent), adopted by drunk driving (27.4 per cent).
In keeping with the Street Accident Victims Safety Firm, a median of 38 street deaths per day happen all through the calendar yr, indicating a big improve over the Songkran pageant.
Nicknamed the “seven harmful days,” the dying toll can also be pushed by “dashing and dangerous behaviors reminiscent of not sporting helmets.”
“The very best variety of accidents occurred between 3:01pm and 6:00pm,” the Division of Catastrophe Prevention and Mitigation reported.
In keeping with the World Well being Group, Thailand already ranks because the ninth most-deadly nation for street crashes amongst member international locations.
The tragic irony is that the pageant is organized to mark renewal and new beginnings.
Playful water fights proceed to take over the streets of the nation as folks be a part of with household and mates to spiritually “cleanse” themselves.
The nationwide vacation is predicted to draw round 500,000 worldwide guests and 30.4 billion baht in income ($940 million).
As part of stricter restrictions in the course of the pageant, seven French vacationers had been arrested over their disruptive Songkran water play, in line with The Nation.
On April 12, the foreigners had been allegedly blocking visitors and had been charged with inflicting a public nuisance.
