Four Thai children die every day from drowning, according to statistics from the Department of Health released today.
In the past 10 years, an average of 1,388 children under 15 died of drowning, which accounts for over 30 percent of all people who died that way, said department Director Pornthep Siriwanarangsan.
According to a survey conducted by Chulalongkorn University, only 23 percent of children aged 5 to 14 can swim, and only 4 percent can swim proficiently.
Pornthep encourages citizens to recognize the importance of swimming lessons for their children, which also doubles as an effective way for children to develop their muscle strength, Thairath reported.
