33 die on first 'Dangerous Day'
A total of 33 people were killed and 322 injured in road accidents
nationwide on Thursday, the first day of the so-called "seven dangerous
days" campaign, Transport Minister Chadchat Sittipunt said Friday.
The Seven Dangerous Days road safety campaign over the New Year holiday
runs from Dec 27 to next Wednesday.
Drink-driving was the main cause of accidents on the first day of the
campaign. About 33 per cent of Thursday's 314 road accidents were caused by
drink-driving, followed by speeding at 21.6 per cent Mr Chadchat said. The
province with the most fatalities was Chiang Mai with four deaths, followed by
Bangkok with three.
No cars in parks
Private cars will not be allowed to enter the country's two top national
parks to prevent traffic jams during the New Year holidays.
The holidays officially start Saturday and last until Tuesday.
National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Manophat
Huamuangkaew said the ban would be enforced at Doi Inthanon national park in
Chiang Mai and Khao Yai national park in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Mr Manophat said the ban aimed to prevent traffic congestion in the parks
and to protect wild animals from eing hit by tourists' vehicles. Park officials
will provide a shuttle bus service inside the park areas, he said.
(bangkokpost.com)