THE MASS exodus from Bangkok and its vicinity mainly to eastern and northeastern provinces to celebrate Songkran Festival has got underway with traffic particularly heavy on the eastern section of the Motorway (Highway 9, Kanchanaphisek Ring Road) since early this morning (April 11) especially near the Lam Luk Ka and Phahonyothin exits, Naewna newspaper said.
Aerial footage and traffic condition reports showed that private cars, cargo trucks, and public buses filled all lanes of this key highway at some stretches. Vehicles were moving steadily but slowed down at toll booths and major road connections.
This heavy flow of people heading home to celebrate the Thai New Year clearly shows that rising fuel prices this year has not diminished the bustling spirit of this festival.
Traffic volume is expected to continue increasing throughout the day into the evening while relevant officials are monitoring and facilitating the flow at various high-risk locations.
Most road users too are exercising caution while driving amidst the extremely hot weather for a safe journey home to reunite with their loved ones to celebrate this traditional festival.
Meanwhile 10.20 a.m. today the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation together with the Road Safety Centre (RSC) announced that there were 135 accidents, 132 injuries, and 20 deaths yesterday (April 10), the first day of the Songkran rush back home, Amarin TV said.
Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, deputy national police chief and chairman of RSC, revealed the following details of total road accidents yesterday at the press briefing:
-135 accidents occurred;
– 132 people were injured;
– 20 people died;
– The leading causes of accidents were speeding (37.78%) and suddenly cutting in front of other vehicles (22.96%);
– Motorcycles were the most involved in accidents (70.49%);
– Most accidents occurred on straight roads (78.52%), followed by highways (48.15%) and local/village roads (20.74%).
– The peak time for accidents was between 3.01 p.m. and 6 p.m. (21.48%);
– The highest number of injuries and deaths occurred in the 60-69 age group (18.42%);
– The provinces with the highest number of accidents were Trang and Songkhla (8 accidents each);
– The province with the highest number of injuries was Trang (9 people);
– The provinces with the highest number of deaths were Prachinburi and Songkhla (2 deaths each);
– There were no fatalities in 59 provinces.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – Heavy traffic jams on the eastern section of the Motorway. Photos – Naewna
Insert – Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma and his team briefing the press on yesterday’s road accident statistics. Photo – Amarin TV
Also read:
Anutin urged to find out if Pipat involved in hoarding of oil
Ekniti unveils ‘old car for new car’ scheme to cut oil use
Foreign Affairs Ministry urgently pushing Hormuz Strait deal
NACC advised to withhold lese majeste case against 10 People’s MPs until after Songkran
Supreme Court asked to spare 10 People’s MPs’ legislative duties
Supajee shrugs off ridicule over US streetside campus
Somsak awaits ministerial seat down to the wire
German cyberattack suspect arrested in Bangkok
