The Road Safety Operation Centre reported 123 road accidents, 123 injuries and 17 deaths on 16 April 2026, marking the seventh and final day of the Songkran safety campaign. Over the full seven-day period from 10 to 16 April, authorities recorded 1,242 accidents, 1,200 injuries and 242 fatalities nationwide. Officials said the figures represent a decline compared with previous years, though risks remain.
Get today's headlines by email 
The campaign, held under the theme “Drive safely, reduce speed, reduce accidents,” was coordinated from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Director-General Theerapat Katchamart said speeding accounted for 40.65 percent of accidents, followed by dangerous overtaking at 25.20 percent. Motorcycles were involved in 64.55 percent of incidents, with most crashes occurring on straight roads and on highways or local village roads.
Peak accident times were between 09:01–12:00 and 15:01–18:00, each accounting for 16.26 percent of cases. The highest number of casualties was among people aged 20–29, representing 22.14 percent. Chiang Rai recorded the most accidents on the final day with eight cases, Pattani had the highest injuries with 11, and Nakhon Pathom reported the most deaths with three.
Across the seven-day total, Phrae recorded the highest number of accidents and injuries, with 48 and 50 respectively. Bangkok had the highest cumulative death toll at 21. Ten provinces reported zero fatalities, including Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, Pattani, Phang Nga, Rayong, Satun, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Nong Bua Lamphu and Mae Hong Son.
Authorities said the campaign exceeded its target of reducing accidents, injuries and deaths by at least 5 percent compared with the three-year Songkran average. Overall, accidents fell by 35.59 percent, injuries by 37.53 percent and deaths by 9.70 percent. Officials credited enforcement measures and public awareness efforts but warned that continued vigilance is needed.
Theerapat said provinces must continue monitoring travel as many people remain in holiday areas. He urged agencies to support victims and families in line with legal provisions and to ensure offenders, particularly drink-driving cases under probation, comply with conditions to prevent repeat offences.
The government plans to analyse lessons learned from the campaign to strengthen year-round road safety measures. Authorities will also refine policies based on reported issues and local conditions to better target high-risk behaviours and reduce future road casualties.
Pictures courtesy of DDPM
Related stories
Chinese-motorcyclist-killed-under-lorry-in-Pattaya-crash
The-road-safety-centre-reports-23-deaths-on-6th-dangerous-day
Join the discussion? 
Already a member? 
Adapted by ASEAN Now DDPM 17 Apr 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment