PHUKET REPORTS ONE DEATH DURING SONGKRAN ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

PHUKET REPORTS ONE DEATH DURING SONGKRAN ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN

The “Songkran Seven Days of Road Safety” campaign has come to an end, with Phuket reporting just one fatal accident over the holiday. This year’s Songkran was a lot busier, with a lot more visitors to the island.

According to data from the Phuket Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the island had 49 road traffic incidents and 48 people injured during the 7 days of April 11 to April 17.

In the Mueang district (including Phuket Town), there were 20 road accidents and 19 people injured. In the northern district of Thalang, 12 accidents were reported, with 12 people injured, while in the Kathu district (which includes Patong), there were 17 accidents and 17 people injured.

Mueang district also reported the only fatality from road traffic accidents during the 7 days. On Wednesday, April 17, a Russian man died after losing control of his motorbike on a bend in the road in Karon. His wife, a pillion passenger, sustained minor injuries. The Russian man had reportedly consumed alcohol prior to getting on the bike.

The Phuket Express reports that of the 48 people injured over the 7 days, 28 were Thai. Most of those injured were between the ages of 20 and 29 and 43 of the accidents involved motorbikes. Eleven involved drink driving.

Of those injured in motorbike accidents, 26 were not wearing helmets.