A total of 253 people were killed and 2,751 others injured in 2,134 road accidents from April 11 to 15, the first five of the "seven dangerous days" of the Songkran holiday period, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Monday.
Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani had the most fatalities, 10 each, followed by Pichit (9).
On Sunday, 43 people were killed, with drunk driving the largest single cause. Death and serious injuries related to drink driving increased from 17.14 per cent over the same period last year to 26.19 per cent this year, according to the department.
There were still 12 provinces that held to the governmen's targeted “zero rate” of traffic fatalities -- Kampangpetch, Satun, Yala, Ranong, Nakhon Phanom, Lop Buri, Trang, Trat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Pattani, Sing Buri and Chonburi.
Any province that achieves the government’s target over Songkran will awarded a trophy and cash prize by the Statesman General Prem Tinasulanonda Foundation.
The department reported the road toll for the first four days of the Songkran festival at 210 yesterday.