He said in some cases, the youngsters drowned in a boat accident as they were travelling with their families to celebrate the Songkran festival. As travel demands surge during the festival, boats are often overloaded with passengers with inadequate life vests on board. Areas where children drowning often occurred were waterfalls, reservoirs and canals as parents took their children on holidays there. Dr Jessada suggested enough life vests and other float-assisting equipment such as empty gallon drums should be loaded on craft or vessels. Local communities should provide lifesaving equipment near water zones while residents should be vigilant and warn children of the danger of slipping into the water.

Source: Bangkok Post April 09, 2017 21:44 UTC