Nine killed in fiery 'danger day' smash

Nine killed in fiery 'danger day' smash

Nine people were killed and 12 others injured when a passenger van ran off the road in Chanthaburi province yesterday, the first day of the Songkran "seven days of danger".

The van was carrying 20 Cambodian passengers from Rayong to the Ban Laem border checkpoint in Phong Namron district when it crashed on a bend on Sukhumvit Road in tambon Thung Benja of Tha Mai district about 7.10am.

The van hit a tree and burst into flames when its gas fuel cylinders ruptured.

Many of the passengers trapped inside the van were killed by the ensuing fire, Sawang Katanyu Foundation's chief rescue officer Suchart Khwanchai said.

The nine fatalities were all Cambodian nationals, but the bodies were still awaiting formal identification.

The driver of the van was among the 12 injured who were taken to three hospitals. Four remained in critical condition.

Police suspect the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry ordered provincial health officials nationwide to strictly enforce an alcohol ban in designated areas during the Songkran festival.

The move is an attempt to prevent and reduce road accidents during the seven-day Songkran road danger period, which runs until Thursday.

Statistics show the number of road accidents surges during the holiday period, with drink driving a major factor contributing to fatalities.

During the "seven days of danger" last year, the Interior Ministry reported 2,828 road accidents with 321 fatalities and 3,040 injuries.

Public Health permanent secretary Narong Sahametapat wants the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act enforced properly this year, and has ordered officials to be crack down on unlawful sales and distribution of alcohol.

Alcohol is banned at religious venues, government health centres and pharmacies, government offices, schools and universities, petrol stations, public parks and on public roads.

No alcohol may be sold to people aged under 20, and all alcohol sales are banned between 2pm and 5pm, and from midnight to 11am.  Those caught selling alcohol during the prohibited times face jail terms of up to two years and a maximum fine of 4,000 baht.

The sale of alcohol in prohibited places carries a jail term of up to six months and a maximum find of 10,000 baht.

Hawking, advertising and promoting the sale of alcohol in the public media is also prohibited.

According to Health Ministry figures, 218 people were caught breaking the law regulating the sale and distribution of alcohol during the Songkran festival last year.

Dr Narong said ministry officials must enforce public health-related laws strictly to improve road safety.

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