Songkran death toll soars to 282

An estimated 282 people were killed and 3,059 others were injured due to road accidents that happened during the first six days of the annual Songkran festival in Thailand. Songkran, which means water, is celebrated as the traditional Thai New Year’s Day, with people across the country involved in playful water fights using water guns, pails, and hoses. Bangkok’s The Nation website reports that this year’s number of casualties is higher compared to last year’s death toll. Songkran is also a major tourist draw, with many Filipinos also flying in to Bangkok from April 13-15 to join the festivities.

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