• Published: 19/04/2012 at 02:20 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The Road Safety Centre has failed to meet the target to cut the number of road accident victims during the Songkran holidays as this year's death toll was higher than last year's.

A total of 320 people were killed in road accidents during the seven-day road safety campaign from April 11 to 17, 49 more than last year, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said.

"Although the number of victims is higher than the previous year, the number of accidents was less," said Mr Yongyuth, who presided over the closing ceremony of the Road Safety Centre yesterday.

• Published: 2/04/2012 at 06:34 PM
• Online news: Local News

Civil servants will have four days off over Songkran, and will not get an extra holiday on April 17 when they will be required to return to work.

The official Songkran period is Friday April 13 to Monday April 16, inclusive.

PM's office deputy spokesman Pakdihan Himathongkam said his office had received a number of inquiries from officials of various agencies seeking clarification on whether the cabinet would include April 17 as part of Songkran celebrations.