139 road deaths in first three of Songkran's 'seven dangerous days'

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Anucha Mokhaves said 44 people had died and 726 were injured in 675 road accidents on Sunday alone, the third day of the holiday period.

Drunk driving remains the major cause of accidents at 45.4 per cent, followed by speeding at 20.3 per cent, he said. Most accidents involved motorcycles and well over half (61.6 per cent) took place between 4pm and 8pm.

The highest number of accidents on Sunday, 35, took place in the northernmost province of Chiang Rai, followed by Si Sa Ket's 32 cases, Anucha said. Chiang Rai also saw the most injuries, at 38 people.

The 3,038 checkpoints across the country stopped 761,493 vehicles over the three days and arrested 56,171 lawbreakers, mostly for failing to present a driver's licence and/or not wearing a helmet.

Anucha said about 28 per cent of the road casualties were under 20. He therefore urged parents to closely monitor their offspring and stop them from riding motorcycles without a licence or drinking alcohol before getting on their bikes.

Failure to do so would mean parents facing up to three months in jail and/or a Bt30,000 fine, in accordance with the Child Protection Act.