Bangkok: The Ministry of Transport has announced a significant 30% decline in fatalities during the 2026 New Year holiday travel period.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry summarized travel and accident figures over a six-day period from December 30, 2025, to January 4, 2026, noting that public transportation systems functioned effectively, ensuring no passengers were left stranded.
The Ministry of Transport, through its Transportation Safety Operations Center (TSOC), confirmed that all agencies under its jurisdiction successfully managed and integrated transportation services to facilitate public travel during the holiday season. The Center for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) compiled travel data processed on January 5, 2026. Domestic and international public transportation systems adequately met public travel needs, with 15,406,439 people using public transport, reflecting a 7.38% decrease compared to the previous year's figures. Rail transport had the highest domestic usage at 41.84%.
The analysis further provided a breakdown of regional transportation usage. The Central Region saw the highest inbound air travel with 330,997 passengers, while the Southern Region had 205,651 rail passengers. Road travel was most prevalent in the Northeastern and Eastern Regions, with 170,775 and 114,362 passengers, respectively. International travel decreased by 11.72%, with 1,689,159 people traveling by road, rail, water, and air.
There was also a decrease in vehicular traffic both entering and exiting Bangkok on major highways, which fell by 4.26% with 6,371,580 vehicles recorded. Expressway travel in Bangkok managed by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) saw a decrease of 20.63% with 7,229,500 vehicles.
Inspectors reviewed 99,030 public buses, finding 65 defective, with 64 repaired and one replaced. Personnel inspections revealed no drug or alcohol use among 99,030 bus staff, while 905 train personnel inspections found one carrying alcohol. At 152 ports/piers, 5,120 vessels were inspected with 12 defects and one repair ordered. No drug or alcohol use was found among 7,382 personnel inspected.
Road accident statistics showed 1,258 accidents, resulting in 145 fatalities and 1,180 injuries, primarily due to speeding. Motorcycles were involved in 750 of these accidents. Bangkok reported the highest fatalities, while Suphan Buri had the most accidents. Compared to last year, accidents decreased by 15%, fatalities by 30%, and injuries by 15%.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation found that road accident, fatality, and injury numbers met the indicator criteria, except for the Expressway Authority of Thailand, which exceeded injury criteria. Public transport accident fatalities and injuries did not surpass criteria, with no air, water, or rail accidents reported.
To facilitate returns, the Ministry is enforcing measures ensuring convenience and safety, with sufficient public transport to prevent delays or stranded passengers. For travel information and complaints, the public can contact various hotlines provided by the Ministry.