BANGKOK, April 15 (TNA) -- A total of 166 persons have died and 2,149 have been injured in road accidents nationwide in the first three days of the “seven dangerous days” of the Songkran festival, Thailand’s traditional New Year, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s Road Safety Centre.

Since the Songkran holiday began Monday, the centre said, altogether 1,994 road accidents have occurred.

The northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima recorded highest number of fatalities at 11 dead, followed by 10 in Ubon Ratchathani province, it said.

Drunken driving was the main cause of most accidents, while the most casualties were sustained by persons travelling on motorcycle, it said.

The centre warned that violators with drunken driving charges would face a maximum imprisonment of one year, a fine of Bt20,000 or both, and their driver's licences can also be revoked.

Drunked drivers held responsible for the accidental death of other peole will face a maximum 10 years imprisonment, a fine of Bt200,000 and a revocation of their driving licence, it warned. (TNA)