Bangkok: During the Songkran celebrations in 2026, Thailand witnessed a significant number of road accidents, culminating in 1,242 incidents that resulted in 242 fatalities. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported these statistics as they announced the closure of the Road Safety Center (RSC), which was established to monitor and reduce road accidents during the festive period.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Teerapat Khachamat, the Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and secretary of the Road Safety Center Committee, shared the concerning figures at a press conference. The seven-day period from April 10 to 16 saw an unexpected rise in accidents, injuries, and deaths. Bangkok recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 21 deaths, while ten provinces reported zero fatalities. The primary causes of these accidents were attributed to speeding and sudden lane changes, with motorcycles being the most affected vehicles.
The RSC's campaign, "Drive Safely, Reduce Speed, Reduce Accidents," emphasized the need for safer driving practices. On April 16 alone, there were 123 accidents resulting in 17 deaths and as many injuries. The data highlighted that most accidents occurred on straight roads, particularly on highways and local roads, during peak hours between 09:01-12:00 and 15:01-18:00. The age group most affected was 20-29 years.
Despite the grim statistics, the RSC's efforts showed a decrease in the overall number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities compared to the previous three years. The campaign achieved a 35.59% reduction in accidents, a 37.53% decrease in injuries, and a 9.7% decrease in fatalities.
Mr. Teerapat urged provincial authorities to continue promoting road safety and ensure that victims and their families receive necessary support. He emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic laws, particularly for individuals on probation for drunk driving offenses.
He expressed gratitude to the provincial governors, agencies, officials, volunteers, and the public for their efforts in maintaining road safety. Mr. Teerapat encouraged everyone to contribute to road safety by avoiding risky behaviors, using safety equipment, and respecting traffic laws.