Nine Deadly Days Claim 393 Lives and Injure Over 2,200

[Georgealbert]

 

 

The festive period has turned deadly for many, with a toll of 393 fatalities and 2,251 injuries reported over the past nine days of New Year travel. Authorities have attributed the alarming figures to reckless driving, with speeding identified as the primary cause of crashes.

 

At a press briefing at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Mr Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, shared the statistics from the campaign for road safety during the 2025 New Year period. On 4 January alone, there were 169 crashes, resulting in 23 fatalities and 164 injuries. Reckless speeding accounted for 37.28% of incidents, followed by sudden lane cutting (23.67%) and poor visibility (17.75%).

 

Motorcycles were involved in 84.3% of all accidents, with most occurring on straight roads, 45.56% on highways and 30.18% on local roads. The riskiest time for accidents was between 16:01 and 17:00.

 

The campaign, which ran from 27 December to 4 January, recorded a total of 2,322 crashes. Surat Thani was identified as the province with the highest cumulative number of crashes (86) and injuries (95). Bangkok recorded the most fatalities (24).

 

As the final day of the holiday approaches, traffic is expected to surge as travellers return home. To mitigate risks, the DDPM has coordinated with local authorities to set up 1,768 checkpoints staffed by over 50,000 officials. These checkpoints aim to provide rest areas for drivers and enforce traffic regulations to reduce fatigue-related accidents.

 

Mr Danucha urged drivers to exercise caution, particularly in areas with poor visibility due to fog, smoke, or seasonal weather changes. He also emphasised the importance of avoiding high-risk behaviours, such as speeding, drink driving, and failing to wear helmets or seatbelts.

 

“Today marks the last day of intense control measures,” he said. “We ask all provinces to work together to ensure road safety, facilitate smooth travel, and continue educating the public on safe driving practices.”

 

Authorities have also called for lessons learned from the New Year campaign to inform preparations for other busy travel periods, including the Songkran festival later this year.

 

Related article: Day 8: New Year Holiday Road Death Toll Rises to 363:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1347888-day-8-new-year-holiday-road-death-toll-rises-to-363/

 

 

-- 2025-01-05

 

[Ben Zioner]

So if they plan to curb thefts via mobile banking  by limiting withdrawals by "elderlies" they should now ban everyone from using motor vehicles during holidays.

[CallumWK]

22 minutes ago, Ben Zioner said:

So if they plan to curb thefts via mobile banking  by limiting withdrawals by "elderlies" they should now ban everyone from using motor vehicles during holidays.

 

The funniest thing is those U-turns they block, because they are dangerous during these 7 days only, but considered safe during the other 358 days

[GammaGlobulin]

 

The fastest way to reduce the death toll on local roads is just to stop drinking and driving.

 

I hope that everyone in Thailand will take heed of Dean's good advice.

 

 

[bkk6060]

On the big picture they don't care or we would be hearing about a mandatory nationwide intense drivers education training for every student starting at age 14.  As opposed to many who simply blame it on the police yes, they could be better but they cannot set the foundation for proper driving skills which should start at a young age before a person ever starts driving.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

So if they plan to curb thefts via mobile banking  by limiting withdrawals by "elderlies" they should now ban everyone from using motor vehicles during holidays.

Public transport is the answer.. so much safer.

[KhunBENQ]

393/9~43

As usual the numbers are below all year average.

Taking into account that more vehicles on the road than on average days it's even less "deadly".

Just outdated PR show.

As I say there is nothing "safer" here than massive jams, gridlocks, long columns.

[jcmj]

The festive period has turned deadly for many, with a toll of 393 fatalities and 2,251 injuries
 

You know that they don’t include those who die in route to the hospital or pronounced dead in the hospital. So the actual numbers are much higher. 

[AhFarangJa]

17 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

To mitigate risks, the DDPM has coordinated with local authorities to set up 1,768 checkpoints staffed by over 50,000 officials.

Well, that is a joke in itself. From where I live into town is about 25 km. In that distance are 4 checkpoints. Motorbike riders with no helmets, or three or more on a bike, never stopped, pick up trucks dangerously overloaded, never stopped, pick up trucks with about 12 people in them, never stopped. I can however, say that at these checkpoints there is a dedicated team in nice khaki uniforms who are diligently giving their all to achieve a new world record in candy crush. 

[ChrisKC]

5 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

On the big picture they don't care or we would be hearing about a mandatory nationwide intense drivers education training for every student starting at age 14.  As opposed to many who simply blame it on the police yes, they could be better but they cannot set the foundation for proper driving skills which should start at a young age before a person ever starts driving.

What has training skills got to do with speeding and drunk drivers?

 

But you are right - nobody cares! and haven't done for many years!

[kingstonkid]

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

 

 

The festive period has turned deadly for many, with a toll of 393 fatalities and 2,251 injuries reported over the past nine days of New Year travel. Authorities have attributed the alarming figures to reckless driving, with speeding identified as the primary cause of crashes.

 

At a press briefing at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Mr Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council, shared the statistics from the campaign for road safety during the 2025 New Year period. On 4 January alone, there were 169 crashes, resulting in 23 fatalities and 164 injuries. Reckless speeding accounted for 37.28% of incidents, followed by sudden lane cutting (23.67%) and poor visibility (17.75%).

 

Motorcycles were involved in 84.3% of all accidents, with most occurring on straight roads, 45.56% on highways and 30.18% on local roads. The riskiest time for accidents was between 16:01 and 17:00.

 

The campaign, which ran from 27 December to 4 January, recorded a total of 2,322 crashes. Surat Thani was identified as the province with the highest cumulative number of crashes (86) and injuries (95). Bangkok recorded the most fatalities (24).

 

 

As the final day of the holiday approaches, traffic is expected to surge as travellers return home. To mitigate risks, the DDPM has coordinated with local authorities to set up 1,768 checkpoints staffed by over 50,000 officials. These checkpoints aim to provide rest areas for drivers and enforce traffic regulations to reduce fatigue-related accidents.

 

Mr Danucha urged drivers to exercise caution, particularly in areas with poor visibility due to fog, smoke, or seasonal weather changes. He also emphasised the importance of avoiding high-risk behaviours, such as speeding, drink driving, and failing to wear helmets or seatbelts.

 

“Today marks the last day of intense control measures,” he said. “We ask all provinces to work together to ensure road safety, facilitate smooth travel, and continue educating the public on safe driving practices.”

 

Authorities have also called for lessons learned from the New Year campaign to inform preparations for other busy travel periods, including the Songkran festival later this year.

 

Related article: Day 8: New Year Holiday Road Death Toll Rises to 363:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1347888-day-8-new-year-holiday-road-death-toll-rises-to-363/

 

 

-- 2025-01-05

 

 You know it's funny check points are for drunk driving usually but there doesn't seem ybe a problem.  

 

Would like to know age groups and helmet stats.

[DGS1244]

No different to normal, average of 43 deaths per day is the norm for Thailand.

[black tabby12345]

11 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

The fastest way to reduce the death toll on local roads is just to stop drinking and driving.

 

I hope that everyone in Thailand will take heed of Dean's good advice.

 

 

 

Even the first world nations often allow drink-driving(in the name of Blood Alcohol Level; they won't be charged if the readout is below the limit).

So no wonder it is often taken for granted here.

 

 

[black tabby12345]

Business as usual here.

Unless daily tolls exceed 1000(in the state of civil war)...

[GammaGlobulin]

3 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

Even the first world nations often allow drink-driving(in the name of Blood Alcohol Level; they won't be charged if the readout is below the limit).

So no wonder it is often taken for granted here.

 

 

 

Dean was never a big drinker.

 

Still, if you are not fit to fly, then do not drive.

 

Even a much lower alcohol level can still influence driving ability.

 

The hair of the dog will always bite you.