Songkran road toll passes 300

A motorcycle driver was killed by a car on Tuesday evening in Kanchanaburi's Tha Muang district.

Another 55 died and 538 were hurt in 509 traffic accidents nationwide Tuesday, the second day of the Thai New Year.

In the first six "dangerous days" around the annual Songkran festival, from April 9-14, 2,915 accidents killed 306 people and hurt 3,070 others. Monday was Songkran Day, with the three-day official holiday period ending Wednesday.

Deputy Interior Minister Sutee Markboon said the 47.2% of Tuesday's accidents were caused by drunk driving and 22.4% from speeding. Of all the accidents, 78% involved motorcycles.

On Tuesday, the most accidents occurred in Phitsanulok province, which had 24 smashups.

For the six-day period, Surin province has been the deadliest province with 15 fatalities, and also had the most injuries at 114.

Seven provinces have no recorded no fatalities: Trang, Bueng Kan, Phuket, Mae Hong Son, Yala, Samut Songkram and Samut Sakhon.