Bangkok  - Road accidents claimed 56 lives and left 635 people injured on the first of the "seven dangerous days of New Year holidays," officials said Wednesday.

Surachai Tharasitpong, permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry, told reporters that there were 596 reported road accidents nationwide on Tuesday, of which 38 per cent were caused by drunk driving.

Thailand officially started a five-day New Year's break on Wednesday, but the days before and after the holidays are deemed dangerous for motorists as many vacationers take off early or leave a day late to beat the holiday traffic.

Surachai said that this year's first "dangerous" day death toll was 23 victims higher than last year's, while the number of accidents was up by 156. (dpa)