ACCIDENTS claimed 25 lives and left 348 people injured on Thursday - the first of Songkran's so-called seven dangerous days on roads around the country.
All up, there were 324 road accidents on Thursday.
As millions of Thais hit the road to celebrate the traditional Thai New Year, the number of accidents and casualties during this period is particularly high each year.
In a bid to reduce the toll, relevant authorities have launched the "Seven Dangerous Days" of Songkran campaign to remind road users of the need to be particularly careful.
The Road Safety Directing Centre yesterday announced that drunk driving and speeding were the most common causes of accidents.
"And most accidents involve motorcycles," it said.
Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday kicked off a campaign to strictly adhere to traffic laws.
The campaign reminds people not to go beyond speed limits, cut in front of other vehicles, run red lights, and to avoiding drinking and driving.
"We hope to minimise road casualties," Sukhumbhand said.
On Thursday, there were 23 road accidents in Bangkok that caused eight deaths and 22 injuries.
Traffic out of Bangkok has increased, as a huge number of people begin their trips home ahead of the official Songkran holidays on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Heavier traffic was reported on Phetkasem Road, the major route to the country's South, and also on Phaholyothin Road, the major route to the country's North.
Traffic police were deployed to facilitate traffic flow.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration senior official Pol Colonel Pichai Krengwuttanasiri warned Songkran revellers against stealing water from fire hydrants.
Water, water everywhere
Thais usually splash water |for fun during the Songkran Festival.
"We have often received reports that people open the hydrants to get water and even sell water during Songkran," Pichai said.
He said such an action constituted a criminal offence. Offenders will face up to three years in jail and a maximum fine of Bt6,000, he warned.
In addition, he said people must stay clear of fire hydrants, as firefighters might need to access them.
"When you park your car, make sure that they are at least five metres away from fire hydrants," he said.
According to Pichai, there are some 13,500 fire hydrants across the capital.