New Year revelry turns deadly in Thailand, 58 killed

At least 58 people have been killed and 517 injured in separate incidents since Tuesday mostly due to drunk driving as people across Thailand began their New Year celebrations. Six fatalities reported from Buriram province while Chiang Mai city and Surat Thani province witnessed 23 accidents. Authorities apprehended that the toll may rise. On Tuesday, which was the first day of the ‘Seven Dangerous Days’ campaign to promote road safety during the New Year holiday, 508 accidents were reported, Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said. According to Road Safety Directing Center, the main causes behind the accidents were alcohol (36.61 per cent) and over-speeding (23.82 per cent).