Thailand Boosts Road Safety Measures for Songkran Holiday Travel

[wensiensheng]

Blah blah blah. 
 

No different to last year which did nothing. 

[wensiensheng]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is totally fake news and they are ignoring the biggest issue. In all the years I have been here, I have never seen anyone pulled over for speeding or recklessness. Get the useless highway patrol to actually patrol the highway. 

 

In other countries there's something very bizarre known as a deterrent, and when people know that they're going to get in trouble for behaving improperly they tend to be more likely to behave themselves. Here when you have a group that calls itself law enforcement and utterly refuses to uphold traffic laws, you have a population that knows it can get away with absolutely anything on the road, and it results in an awful lot of mayhem, deaths and bad behavior. 

 

There is a very simple solution to this, get the police to actually do their jobs.

 

 

Got to pay them a decent wage if you want them to do their job.

 

The system is rigged to encourage corruption and laziness

[cynic1]

3 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

They have done a lot of work and continue to be vigilant. 
Easy to criticize when doing nothing.

The road deaths trend during Songkran is on a downward trend and has saved hundreds of lives.

 

 

"Thailand ended the  COVID-19 lockdown on 30 September 2022."  The 2021 and 2022 figures are skewed because Thailand was in lockdown during Songkran, yet still had 277 deaths in 2021. The 2023 numbers might not represent the true trend  either, as it was still recovering from the lockdowns and afraid to venture out till things settled down with Covid. Thus the more accurate indication of the trend would have been  in 2024 which are not showing here. 

 

A google search revealed for 2024,"From April 11 to 17 of 2024, 480 people were killed in road accidents in Thailand during the Songkran holidays, which is higher than  all the figures in this graph starting at 2014. Not a good trend as it indicates to a statistician its on its way up and significantly.

 

I  bet my house for 1 Baht on it the politicians during this period from 2014 of the graph were making the same promises  every year as they have made this year.  They "Talk the talk" but do not do  the " Walk the walk".

[IvorBiggun2]

38 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

How???

 

Having road blocks to check on vehicles legally on the road and those that aren't. And if 2 lane traffic wasn't allowed to be 3 lane. Which it is during major holidays. Trafiic would be dead locked.

[ChrisKC]

1 hour ago, NoshowJones said:

"I have never seen a patrol car doing anything - except attending accidents already happened!"

You will always see at least one parked outside most Highway Patrol stations.

Yes, I pass one of them on my bike ride two or three times a week, always there. It surprises me that if they are doing paperwork - what did they do and when  to create that work?

[traveller101]

4 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

They have done a lot of work and continue to be vigilant. 
Easy to criticize when doing nothing.

The road deaths trend during Songkran is on a downward trend and has saved hundreds of lives.

 

 

The Collage I put together below shows 2 distinct peculiarities (one source been crossed out to comply with forum rules):

A) There is no downward trend                 looking at the Government                   numbers supplied over the past 3       years

B) Government numbers  made public seem to be somewhat optimistic to put it mildly.

Thai RSC (Emergency Notification Center for Car Accident victims)

numbers of injured people delivered to hospitals every day are equal or higher than the Government numbers over the whole 10 day safety campaign.

[Bday Prang]

17 hours ago, kwilco said:

Every year, like clockwork, the Thai authorities launch their annual Songkran road safety campaign, and every year they manage to demonstrate just how profoundly uninformed they are about the fundamentals of road safety. We see the same tired slogans, police checkpoints that appear more performative than preventative, and a flurry of short-term crackdowns that fail to address the systemic issues at play.

Equally predictably, members of forums like ASEAN NOW dive in with their own well-meaning but hopelessly anecdotal takes—"It’s all about helmets!" or "Ban alcohol for a week!"—as if a single-issue fix could somehow resolve a deeply rooted and complex problem. It becomes a chorus of misinformed hot takes, each more simplistic than the last, revealing a widespread lack of understanding about what actually works in road safety policy and practice.

What’s missing from both sides—authorities and commentators alike—is any serious engagement with proven strategies: things like consistent and fair law enforcement, urban planning that prioritizes safety over speed, public transportation improvements, proper driver education, and long-term behavioral change campaigns. Instead, we get reactive theatrics and internet armchair experts yelling into the void, year after year, while the body count climbs.

says ASEAN nows resident traffic expert

[grubman]

Its the same very year, they talk about road safety before Songkran and then it gets forgotten 

 

Why don't the RTP have more active policing of roads and not just the static police check points

 

I live in Khon Kaen and I know exactly where the police set up the daily check points with speed cameras, so if you are passing these area you just slow down until you pass 

 

So every one know where they can speed and not to speed,

 

Many time there are check points in the town center and you see bike rider, riding the opposite direction as they see the check point and turn around to avoid the police, why don't the police have some one positioned to get all that turn around 

 

All this would mean more work of the police but it would contribute to reducing the road carnage 

 

and why not start with road safety in schools and teach the kid from an early age, this is done in many other countries, why not Thailand  

[kwilco]

6 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

You're absolutely right, though I read comments like your's every year.

So, at the end nothing changed within the past years except:

There are more cars on the road but less fatal accidents?

One Explaination could be that the oldest drivers without an obtained licence died by nature or are simply not driving anymore. And the younger ones at least got a glimpse of rules when applying for a license the first time.

Yes - there is a change - not significant but as you point out, the nature of traffic has changed.

There are more cars - this is the normal criteria (ownership per 100k) used in road safety NOT deaths per 100k/pop. 

more cars, better safety features both active and passive.

on the other hand road design has increased te number of unsafely designed roads - 

people are more experienced drivers than 30 years ago - back then the motorcar industry was in majority and "equipment" market now people are buying 2nd and 3rd cars.

[newbee2022]

5 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Yes - there is a change - not significant but as you point out, the nature of traffic has changed.

There are more cars - this is the normal criteria (ownership per 100k) used in road safety NOT deaths per 100k/pop. 

more cars, better safety features both active and passive.

on the other hand road design has increased te number of unsafely designed roads - 

people are more experienced drivers than 30 years ago - back then the motorcar industry was in majority and "equipment" market now people are buying 2nd and 3rd cars.

Thank you for the "add on". Spot on.👍

[ikke1959]

4 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

Your post is well meaning, but you cannot educate stupid.

I know I tried for 15 years

[watchcat]

23 hours ago, Negita43 said:

If drivers had a little more patience there might be fewer patients in the hospitals BUT I am afraid it's not in the average Thai's DNA

 

Correct, they can't even let a car in front of a redlight to save a few seconds ,  so let them suffer in the hospitals.

[NorthernRyland]

5 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

 

Having road blocks to check on vehicles legally on the road and those that aren't. And if 2 lane traffic wasn't allowed to be 3 lane. Which it is during major holidays. Trafiic would be dead locked.

Oh I see what you mean. Yes they're useless and just chock up the roads. I don't understand what the purpose is.

[NorthernRyland]

3 hours ago, kwilco said:

on the other hand road design has increased te number of unsafely designed roads - 

people are more experienced drivers than 30 years ago - back then the motorcar industry was in majority and "equipment" market now people are buying 2nd and 3rd cars.

 

You get accidents are straight roads with perfect visibility because people are driving too fast, driving too close and making dangerous passing moves at high speed. Then all the motorbikes doing all the crazy things they do they get themselves killed. It's not even a skill or road issue from what I see.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

You get accidents are straight roads with perfect visibility because people are driving too fast, driving too close and making dangerous passing moves at high speed. Then all the motorbikes doing all the crazy things they do they get themselves killed. It's not even a skill or road issue from what I see.

There's no point in discussing with you because you understand so little you can't make a relevant comment.

[NorthernRyland]

15 minutes ago, kwilco said:

There's no point in discussing with you because you understand so little you can't make a relevant comment.

 

Does anyone else understand what this guy is saying? I can't understand it for the life of me.

[kwilco]

57 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

I can't understand it for the life of me.

that' what I've just told you! Duh!

[Mike_Hunt]

On 4/10/2025 at 10:19 AM, NorthernRyland said:

How about the most basic of all rules, speed limits. Could they for once in their existence enforce speed limits, is this really too much to ask? I would say yes it is, it's way too much to ask and nothing will be done as usual.

Start with the basics.  Enforce speed limits and stopping at Zebra crossings. 

[Lopburikid]

On 4/10/2025 at 9:17 PM, NorthernRyland said:

His expression does not give me hope anything will change this year. 😂 In fact I would bet my life savings it will be exactly the same as last year and exactly the same in 10 years.

 

 

[connda]

On 4/10/2025 at 4:58 PM, snoop1130 said:

Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob has introduced five pivotal government policies designed to curb road accidents:

1. Establish a central command centre dedicated to accident prevention.
2. Address and mitigate risk factors commonly leading to road crashes.
3. Implement measures to reduce vehicle-related hazards.
4. Promote safe driving habits among all road users.
5. Ensure quick and efficient help for all accident victims.

Wanna know why this is a word salad without even a dash of dressing?  I was out on HW 11 yesterday, and the typical influx of crazed Bangkok drivers are on the road.  It's 90kph posted, 80 in places.  Typical BKK driver is going 120+, tail-gating other BKK drivers doing 120kph when the car behind them wants to go 140kph or 160kph so they weave all over the road looking for a hole to pass though, and if aggressive enough, just takes to the shoulders to pass.  Yeah - peachy.

So wanna know why this is 🐂💩  For the same reason it always is: Thailand doesn't have even one patrol car on the road looking for highly aggressive drivers who are responsible for the road accident, and pulling people over and issuing tickets and testing for alcohol.  Doesn't happen here - never will.  They may have a radar gun set up somewhere, but that is just a revenue generator - it accomplishes nothing. 

So dear Thailand:  take the word salad as add a topping of blood and gore, and there you have it: A typical Thai holiday on Thai Roads, dead bodies, carnage, and all. 

[hotsun]

5 minutes ago, connda said:

Wanna know why this is a word salad without even a dash of dressing?  I was out on HW 11 yesterday, and the typical influx of crazed Bangkok drivers are on the road.  It's 90kph posted, 80 in places.  Typical BKK driver is going 120+, tail-gating other BKK drivers doing 120kph when the car behind them wants to go 140kph or 160kph so they weave all over the road looking for a hole to pass though, and if aggressive enough, just takes to the shoulders to pass.  Yeah - peachy.

So wanna know why this is 🐂💩  For the same reason it always is: Thailand doesn't have even one patrol car on the road looking for highly aggressive drivers who are responsible for the road accident, and pulling people over and issuing tickets and testing for alcohol.  Doesn't happen here - never will.  They may have a radar gun set up somewhere, but that is just a revenue generator - it accomplishes nothing. 

So dear Thailand:  take the word salad as add a topping of blood and gore, and there you have it: A typical Thai holiday on Thai Roads, dead bodies, carnage, and all. 

Take the perspective of a thai person. If it doesnt affect me, why should i care?

[watchcat]

On 4/10/2025 at 10:58 AM, snoop1130 said:

Address and mitigate risk factors commonly leading to road crashes.

 

The use of mobile phones -ban them or let the producers pay for the costs.

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, connda said:

Wanna know why this is a word salad without even a dash of dressing?  I was out on HW 11 yesterday, and the typical influx of crazed Bangkok drivers are on the road.  It's 90kph posted, 80 in places.  Typical BKK driver is going 120+, tail-gating other BKK drivers doing 120kph when the car behind them wants to go 140kph or 160kph so they weave all over the road looking for a hole to pass though, and if aggressive enough, just takes to the shoulders to pass.  Yeah - peachy.

 

I'm pretty sure the average Thai person would rather risk getting killed than regulate their driving or are literally incapable of controlling their behavior.

 

Some people tell me it used to be better though and in fact my wife tells me when she was young motorbikes always drove slowly on the left lane but now they're all over the place and much higher speeds. Thai driving is probably getting worse and more reckless as congestion increases yet still no real law enforcement.

[Chongalulu]

21 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Lack of effective policing is simplistic - the identification of this is not a failure to comprehend a wider issue, identification of this & other issues is not a failure to accept lots of other issues are also at hand & each not isolated or individual facets but part of a bigger picture.

 

But, when someone drunkenly speeds into a brick wall & someone comments that “stupidity was at play” - it’s an accurate comment, the comment does not mean other factors are not an involved….  Or that there is no wider understanding - it’s just that not every poster wants to write a thesis on RTA’s in Thailand that covers each & every facet from education, to policing to road engineering….. 

 

 

A lot of people are just stupid - I see it when on holiday & the Thai’s & foreigners riding without a helmet - this just stupidity enabled though a lack of effective policing. 

 

 

 

 

Everyone knows there's no effective policing,so why just boringly repeat it for the umpteenth time? ASEAN members not capable of extending the conversation to posit WHY? Hence my point about the Groundhog Day aspect of any threads involving traffic accidents.

[bluemoon58]

Same same year on year! Never makes a difference! 

[connda]

4 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

Some people tell me it used to be better though and in fact my wife tells me when she was young motorbikes always drove slowly on the left lane but now they're all over the place and much higher speeds. Thai driving is probably getting worse and more reckless as congestion increases yet still no real law enforcement.

I've noticed that myself in the 18 years I've been here.  Motorcycles kept to the left. Now they are all over the road - figuratively and in reality.  Especially considering that 80% of the death are motorcyclists. 

[NorthernRyland]

4 minutes ago, connda said:

I've noticed that myself in the 18 years I've been here.  Motorcycles kept to the left. Now they are all over the road - figuratively and in reality.  Especially considering that 80% of the death are motorcyclists. 

 

I've only been in Thailand since 2005 so I have a short memory here. My dad just 10 years earlier in 1995 and remarked on how incredibly slow many motorbikes were riding. I wonder if any old timers here could be confirm that. Seems likely there's been a shift in the culture towards dangerous driving across the board.

 

It's worth keeping in mind too that no matter how bad the traffic stats are it's mostly just stupid people getting themselves killed and doesn't necessarily need to apply to you if you keep left and drive at a safe speed.

[Luuk Chaai]

On 4/11/2025 at 11:17 AM, bkk6060 said:

I bet 90% are speed and following too closely.  Speed vs. reaction time vs. braking vs. skids.  Simple things to teach, but no one cares.

 

I bet 90% are speed ( meth/yaba ) and following too closely. (Tail gating ) vs the need to weave in and out of traffic to get ahead

  100% no one cares.   

I think we should all go into the T-shirt printing biz... and cash in ..

start with this slogan on a fancy football jersey      * ob·liv·i·ous *  

 

[Kenneth White]

On 4/11/2025 at 1:12 PM, NorthernRyland said:

what is complex about this? There are simple rules that need to be enforced. That's step one and they haven't even done that so why are you talking about some greater scheme?

NorthernRyland, it is sad they have no common sense. 

[schultzlivgthai]

On 4/10/2025 at 11:26 PM, kwilco said:

red my post - "members of forums like ASEAN NOW dive in with their own well-meaning but hopelessly anecdotal takes—"It’s all about helmets!" or "Ban alcohol for a week!"— and in your case "How about the most basic of all rules, speed limits" - as if a single-issue fix could somehow resolve a deeply rooted and complex problem. It becomes a chorus of misinformed hot takes, each more simplistic than the last, revealing a widespread lack of understanding about what actually works in road safety policy and practice." - your comment just shows you have very little understanding of the issues and trying to make a false dichotomy out my comments shows youy have no realargument.

What’s your problem? You sound like a fool