More than 18,000 people with road accident injuries have received medical care from hospitals nationwide during the Songkran festival, 32% of whom were injured in alcohol-related accidents.
Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn said yesterday that a total of 18,360 people received medical treatment from state-run and private hospitals across the country from April 11-15, according to figures from emergency operational centres which were set up to provide prompt assistance to people who sustained injuries in road accidents.
There were 273 fatalities from accidents while 1,654 patients suffered serious injuries and required special care, he added. Road toll and injury figures collated by different rescue agencies may differ slightly.
A total of 5,800 patients, or about 32% of people who received medical care were injured in alcohol-related accidents, while 2,322 patients did not wear safety helmets and 456 patients did not wear seat belts, he added.
Dr Piyasakol said he ordered officials stationed at the nationwide centres to be ready to handle emergency services in response to accidents that may occur during return travel to Bangkok. He urged people to phone the centre's 1669 hotline for immediate medical assistance for any road accidents.
Permanent secretary for public health, Sophon Mekthon, said yesterday that officials from medical response units had provided 5,445 services or about 56 services per hour between April 11 and 14, according to figures from the National Institute for Emergency Medicine.
A total of 3,712 calls for assistance had been made via the 1669 hotline, while 661 people had violated the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, with 217 violators facing legal action, Dr Sophon said.
Meanwhile, Transport Co Ltd prepared a fleet of extra buses to deal with the anticipated influx of passengers returning to Bangkok after the Songkran festival. Nopparat Karoonyavanich, the company's vice-president, said yesterday his company will have about 8,400 buses in operation from today until Monday to accommodate about 177,000 people per day who are expected to return to the city.
He said his company has worked closely with the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to set up transportation links for passengers in several areas. The company also asked the Taxi Cooperative to increase their services during this peak travel time, he added.
DLT chief Sanit Phromwong said the department has added a transit service for passengers at its Chatuchak branch to accommodate people who have travelled from the North and Northeast.
Mr Sanit said he ordered the creation of special patrol teams stationed at Mor Chit 2 bus station and Don Mueang airport to direct traffic and help passengers. The teams will also monitor transport service providers who violate traffic regulations and mafia gangs who try to take advantage of passengers. Mr Sanit said he had ordered officials to pay special attention to taxi drivers who overcharge.