There have been no road deaths since that of Myanmar national Than Zaw Htwe, 25, in a motorbike accident in Koh Kaew yesterday (see story here), confirmed the Phuket official of the Department of Disaster Prevention and mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) this morning.
The fourth victim was 28-year-old Eksarayuth Intharat, who died at about 1am on Saturday (Jan 2) in a high-speed accident on Chao Fa West Rd, near the entrance to the Phuket Villa 5 residential estate, in Wichit.
Police believe alcohol was a factor in the accident and noted that Mr Eksarayuth was not wearing a helmet at the time that his motorbike hit a road sign and then a large mango tree.
Nationwide, the death toll has reached almost 300 as more passengers return to Bangkok after the New Year holidays. Deaths are 11 per cent higher than during last year’s Seven Dangerous Days despite harsh measures.
Last year, there were 2,446 accidents during the first five of the dangerous days, compared with 2,753 so far this year, a rise of 12%. Total road casualties (killed and injured) are up 13%, year on year. (See story here).