road

In spite of the political turmoil that brought Bangkok to a dangerous standstill on Monday and Tuesday, revellers determinedly got on with the annual Songkran water festival on Khao San Road. And because initial festivities were cancelled during the festival days, the holiday was extended by a further two days, ending Friday evening. The Khao San Road is one of the most popular places in Thailand to celebrate Songkran as a tourist, as this pedestrianised street becomes one massive water fight, safe from traffic. However it's proximity to some of the flashpoints of the prostest action of the United Front for Democracy against Dictactorship (UDD) made it a risky part of the city to be in. Travellers who had to delay plans to visit the city now have a chance to join the fun, with two extra days added to the Khao San Road festivities. Furthermore, public holidays were declared across the country while the country recovers from the crisis that gripped the Kingdom over the previous weekend. Bangkok's streets had mostly returned to normal by Wednesday evening as the army successfully dispersed the crowd and brought an end to the violent standoff. Only two deaths were reported at the end of it all and the leaders of the so-called 'Red Shirts' - supporters of ousted and fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who were calling for the government to step down - called it off. Although the State of Emergency remains in the capital, normality had returned by Thursday and it was safe to travel freely about the capital. Rumours of a coup were unfounded and the government appears to have the situation under control. Guide to the [Khao San Road](http://www.1stopbangkok.com/what_to_see/khao_san/) 2009-04-16T18:59:00+07:00 1223 2009-04-16T19:12:55+07:00 5 true 1223-songkran-extended-on-khao-san-road Andrew

Despite the efforts of Thai authorities nationwide to crack down on drunk driving during this year’s holiday period, road deaths remain a major problem. Each year Thailand’s police keep a close eye on the ‘Seven Dangerous Days of New Year’ to try and educate drivers about the dangers of driving while intoxicated. The 7-day period runs from 30 December to 5 January, the time when millions of Thais take to the roads to visit friends and family. Unfortunately, drinking is also a big part of the festivities, and lax enforcement of drunk driving in the past has led many Thais and foreigners to feel it’s fine to try driving even when they are obviously too drunk to drive safely. As of 4 January, the death toll from road accidents sits at 278, with an additional 2,996 people injured to various degrees in road accidents. Anucha Mokkhawes, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and secretary of the Road Safety Centre, will announce the final figures after all provinces have reported their data this week. Anucha Mokkhawes has stated that drunk driving caused 47 per cent of the accidents over the period, followed by speeding. The vast majority of accidents involve motorbikes and pickup trucks, with the drivers of the motorbikes naturally ending up the worse for wear. All travellers are advised to drive extra cautiously until the holiday season has passed. 2009-01-04T11:03:00+07:00 1059 2009-01-04T10:05:09+07:00 5 true 1059-drunk-driving-main-cause-of-road-deaths Andrew

From 30 December to 5 January 2009, the police in Phuket will be setting up nine major checkpoints along busy roads and 18 smaller roaming patrols in an effort to prevent road accidents during the hectic holiday period. This year, the Phuket office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has a plan to keep its roads safe. The first phase was run in the first half of December. The purpose was to get all relevant departments like the police and emergency medical service (EMS) staff on the same page and prepared to implement the new safety measures during the New Year period. The second phase of the program will run through 29 December. Its aim is to raise the awareness of the public about the dangers of drunk driving and prepare locals and tourists about the new measures the police will be strictly enforcing. On 23 December, an islandwide campaign to encourage the (mandatory) use of crash helmets will begin. This will be followed on 29 December by enforcement of the law. Anyone caught not wearing their helmet will be forced to go to a road safety training classes. The nine major checkpoints will be in the usual places, though police admit they might mix it up a bit to try and catch sneaky violators. All you have to do is wear your helmet to avoid getting into too much trouble. 2008-12-22T22:03:00+07:00 1039 2008-12-22T21:13:53+07:00 5 true 1039-phuket-beefs-up-holiday-safety-checkpoints Andrew

More than 200 people across Thailand have already lost their lives over the period from Friday through Monday during the Songkran festival. This year’s water festival has already seen more people killed and injured on the roads than at the same point last year, with 229 dead and over 3,300 injured - around 5.5 per cent up on last year. Petchabun province had the highest death toll with 11 dead so far, followed by Rayong, and Suphan Buri provinces. The highest number of accidents was in Chiang Rai province, at 50, followed by Phetchabun province at 42. Most accidents occurred on village roads and mainly at night with the great percentage of those being alcohol-fueled. Although the powers-that-be were thinking of imposing a ban on the sale of alcohol over Songkran; in reality, people will just hoard beer and spirits before the event. The Thai Red Cross has reported that it was running out of blood supplies and needs about 1,500 units of blood daily during this busy time, whereas it only received 973 units on April 12 and 950 units on April 13. Blood goes to hospitals nationwide from the red cross’s blood banks. Tourists taking part in the Songkran festivities are advised not to ride motorcycles and take public transport. [Thai road safety](http://www.1stopthailand.com/transportation/road-rental/) 2008-04-15T12:11:00+07:00 638 2008-04-15T12:17:20+07:00 5 true 638-songkran-road-toll-soars Andrew

Thailand’s poor road safety record was once again called into question as the New Year holiday season resulted in thousands of accidents and claimed nearly 400 lives. A further 4,514 people were injured in nearly as many accidents. There was a four per cent decrease in accident fatalities from the previous year, but it remains a chronic problem in Thailand has heavy traffic over the long weekend results in higher accident rates. December 30th was the deadliest day, with 85 fatalities and Bangkok recorded the most accidents of all provinces, proving that it was not just long distance travellers at risk from reckless motorists. As much has 42 per cent of the accidents were caused by drunk driving according to the Interior Ministry, however the largest group affected were motorcyclist. Many of the injured and dead were not wearing safety helmets. Other main causes of accidents include speeding and reckless overtaking. Although few tourists were involved, they are advised to avoid travelling during the long New Year Weekend, by road. The hilly, curving roads of the mountainous north are particularly risky during this time. [Transportation guide for Thailand]( http://www.1stopthailand.com/transportation/ “title�) 2008-01-03T16:14:00+07:00 495 2008-01-03T16:14:51+07:00 5 true 495-holiday-traffic-claims-369-lives Andrew