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BANGKOK, Monday (AFP)

Nearly 400 people died across Thailand in road crashes, violence and other accidents in the four days of celebrations leading up to the New Year, the health ministry said Monday.

The toll was higher than for last year and the authorities said 284 of 393 people reported dead in the four days until 4:00pm (0900 GMT) came from car accidents.

"About 49 percent of people injured in road accidents are drunk," said Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, adding that about 200 people every hour were injured in road accidents somewhere in Thailand.

The other deaths were stabbings and shootings after drinking too much, illness after eating or drinking too much and other accidents linked to the holiday.

The minister emphasised that the toll had risen from last year.

Twelve months ago, more than 480 people died over a five-day New Year holiday period, which included January 1, 351 in traffic incidents, according to official figures.

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