Thailand's Deputy Interior Minister Jesada Thai Seth has met UK Transport Secretary Lilian Greenwood in New York to exchange approaches to cutting road deaths, particularly those involving motorcycles. The discussion took place while Jesada, also the third deputy interior minister, attended the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Road Safety in New York City on 23 July 2026. For foreign residents and visitors, the talks come as Thai authorities prepare to expand community road-safety checkpoints ahead of next week's four-day public holiday. Motorcyclists and motorists may see more local monitoring, warnings and enforcement in areas considered high risk. UK seeks Thai community checkpoint model According to Jesada, the UK requested the exchange because it remains concerned about motorcycle-crash deaths despite having high road-safety standards. He outlined three main elements of Thailand's approach: serious enforcement of traffic laws, which he said has contributed to an upward trend in helmet use among both riders and passengers; the widespread use in Thailand of motorcycles with engines of no more than 125cc, which differs from usage patterns in many countries; and the community checkpoint scheme. Community checkpoints are operated intensively during festivals and long holidays. Local administrative officials, village heads, local government bodies, village health volunteers, civil defence volunteers and members of the public work together at monitoring points. Their role is to watch road users, issue warnings and promote safety awareness at village and community level. Jesada described the measure as preventive and said it has helped reduce losses in a tangible way. Warning for visitors renting vehicles Jesada said road safety could not rely on law enforcement alone and required participation from all sectors. Thailand was ready to share its knowledge and experience with the UK to support United Nations targets for reducing road deaths and injuries, he added. He also issued a safety message for UK tourists travelling in Thailand, especially those hiring motorcycles or cars for independent trips. Visitors should study traffic rules and their route before travelling, wear standard safety equipment every time, drive carefully, stay within legal speed limits and avoid driving when physically unfit, he said. These points apply equally to long-stay foreigners. Those unfamiliar with local roads should take particular care during holiday periods, when traffic volumes rise and local safety operations are stepped up. Nationwide preparations for long weekend On returning to Thailand, Jesada said he would immediately accelerate the community checkpoint programme. He has instructed the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, provincial governors, district chiefs and relevant agencies to coordinate with local officials, village leaders, local authorities, village health volunteers, civil defence volunteers and communities. The aim is to prepare checkpoints covering risk areas nationwide for travel during next week's four-day holiday. The focus will be on monitoring, warnings and safety awareness alongside enforcement. Jesada said the Interior Ministry would push community checkpoints as a key road-safety measure, aiming to reduce accidents and losses while building confidence among residents and tourists travelling in Thailand. Picture courtesy of ThaiRath Join the discussion? 25 July 2026
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