Songkran Festival Turns Deadly, 191 Killed in Three Days, Hundreds of Accidents Reported

Thailand (Monitoring Desk) Celebrations of Thailand’s traditional New Year festival, Songkran, turned tragic as 191 people lost their lives and more than 951 traffic accidents were reported during the first three days of the week-long festivities. According to international media reports, Songkran is considered the world’s largest water festival, celebrated every year in mid-April, during which millions of people travel from major cities to their hometowns. Reports indicate that in the first two days alone, 52 people were killed in traffic accidents, with around 42 percent of incidents caused by overspeeding and 27.4 percent due to driving under the influence. The festival is often referred to as the “seven dangerous days,” as most accidents occur between 3 pm and 6 pm, while failure to wear helmets and irresponsible driving also contribute to the rising death toll. Despite government safety campaigns and strict regulations, the number of accidents and fatalities continues to increase each year. This year, around 500,000 foreign tourists are expected to attend the festival, which is likely to provide a significant boost to the country’s economy. According to reports, the use of water during the festival symbolizes purification and the washing away of the previous year’s misfortunes under local beliefs.