UPDATE
A total of 94 people were killed in nearly a thousand road crashes on Thursday and Friday, or the first two days of the seven-day travel period of New Year holiday, the Thai News Agency reported.
Original Report
PHUKET: The New Year holiday season on Phuket has begun tragically with three deaths on Phuket roads in the first two days and police warning of more unless speed and poor driving are controlled.
The latest fatality came at 1.30pm on Friday in Phuket City, near a corner in Saphan Hin where a young girl was crushed by a truck earlier this year.
Killed in yesterday's crash outside the Immigration office was motorcyclist Manat Seaung, 40, the third rider to die in two days.
Although scores of checkpoints are to be scattered across Phuket for New Year 2012 celebrations tonight, police warn that survival into the new year really depends on individuals showing care.
An extremely large crowd is expected to see in the New Year in Patong on Phuket's west coast, although other countdowns and organised events are taking place in Phuket City, Karon beach and elsewhere.
Phuket police had hoped to keep the road toll this season below the figure of four deaths for last New Year, but with three deaths in the first two days, the next five days will have to be fatality free.
The 21 crashes reported so far have resulted in 21 admissions (12 male, nine female) to Phuket hospitals. They include a 52-year-old expat who is believed to have been struck in Thaweewong Road - the beach road - in Patong.
He was taken to Patong Hospital and later transferred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, in Phuket City. A second expat, injured outside the Andaman Resort in Viset Road, Rawai, was taken for treatment at Phuket International Hospital in Phuket City.
Motorcycles were involved in 85 percent of the crashes in the first two days, police said. A pedestrian was the victim in one incident, with a minibus and a six-wheel truck also involved in the tally.
Police attributed speed as the cause in eight of the accidents (26.66 percent) with poor overtaking responsible for another five (16.66 percent) and inappropriate lane crossing and road hazards the cause of smaller numbers of crashes.
The Phuket road toll for 2011 is likely to be down on the 2010 toll because of improved awareness of dangers, more police checkpoints and better road signage and safety precautions.
Phuketwan supports the Mothers or Motorcycles action group that aims to encourage 100 percent helmet wearing and better road safety.
Of course it's very sad to hear about deaths at any time of year. Even after living here for years, I'm still continually amazed at how poor the driving standards are. Education of motorists and a harder driving test would help. I took the test 6 years ago and it is an absolute joke.
Posted by Mr Man on December 31, 2011 10:32
Editor Comment:
Judging from a friend who had to go back three times before getting her driving licence, testing standards have improved.