At least 191 people have been killed in road accidents in Thailand over the first three days of the country’s annual Songkran festival, widely known as the “world’s largest water fight”, marking a grim start to celebrations this year.Thai New Year celebrations, usually marked by a week-long water festival symbolizing renewal, have waned due to an increase in road accidents, injuries and deaths, according to the New York Post. Official data shows that 951 accidents and 911 injuries were recorded during the period.Despite government efforts, including road safety campaigns, strict enforcement of drunk driving laws and increased police checkpoints, the death toll remains high. Officials said 51 people died on the first day of celebrations alone.Speeding has emerged as the leading cause of death, accounting for only 42 percent of the cases, followed by drunk driving in 27.4 percent of the cases. Officials also identified risky behavior such as not wearing a helmet as a major contributor.The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said that “most accidents occurred between 3.01 pm and 6.00 pm.”Songkran has triggered mass travel across Thailand, with millions of people leaving major cities like Bangkok to return to their hometowns, increasing road congestion and accident risks. The festival period is often referred to as the “Seven Dangerous Days” due to the increased number of road casualties.The festival, which is expected to draw some 500,000 international visitors and generate 30.4 billion baht in revenue, also saw law enforcement action, with seven French tourists arrested for causing a public nuisance by blocking traffic during the festival.Data from the Road Accident Victim Protection Company shows that an average of 38 road deaths are recorded per day in Thailand throughout the year, indicating a sharp increase during Songkran.According to the World Health Organization, Thailand is one of the most dangerous countries in terms of road accidents among member states.