Human wave brings festival to a head
Tens of thousands of Songkran revellers in Khon Kaen are expected to break their own record today as they round off the three-day water festival with a gigantic human wave.
Last year's event, which took place on Khao Neaw Road, drew 42,652 participants. This year, the event organiser has sectioned off 800m of road, up from 650m, to ensure it can accommodate bigger crowds.
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Revellers have been warming up for today's main event. On Wednesday, 23,104 people joined in a human wave for the first day of Songkran.
In Bangkok on Wednesday, Thailand landed an official Guinness World Record when 3,477 revellers gathered in front of CentralWorld and took part in the largest ever water pistol fight.
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Centre yesterday reported that 57 people were killed in road accidents on Wednesday _ the third day of the so-called "seven dangerous days" of Songkran. The total death toll now stands at 116. The number of road accidents and casualties were less than for the same period last year. As of Wednesday, 1,626 accidents were reported with 1,760 people injured.
According to the centre, the main reason for most injuries is riding a motorcycle without a crash helmet. About 30% of the victims are under 20.
Two people have been arrested for violating a ban on the sale of alcohol on Tuesday and Wednesday, said Deputy Public Health Minister Punsiri Kullanartsiri.
The first arrest was made in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district when a vendor allegedly sold alcohol in a temple compound.
Another vendor was arrested for allegedly selling alcohol at a petrol station in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The ministry has received various complaints about sale of alcohol on Khao San Road in Bangkok and police have been asked to look into the matter.
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