During the first six days of Songkran festival travel there were 2,008 traffic accidents, an increase on last year and with more casualties, but road deaths are down.

The Interior Ministry said the 2,008 traffic accidents from April 11-16 claimed 236 lives and injured 2,005 other people.

The number of injured was up 18% and accidents rose by 16% over  the same period of last year's Thai New Year celebration.

However, the death toll dropped by 4.45%.

Bangkok had the most holiday deaths so far, 20, while the northern province of Nan recorded the most traffic accidents, 62, and the highest number of injured people, 63.

On Sunday, the sixth day of Songkran festival traveling period, there were 263 traffic accidents, 36 deaths and 268 injured people.

Speeding was the most common cause of the accidents, 39%, followed by drink driving (24%). Motorcycles were involved in 78% of the accidents.