138 Deaths in First Four Days of Songkran’s “Seven Dangerous Days”

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of DDPM.

 

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has reported a total of 138 deaths and 1,002 injuries from 1,000 road accidents across Thailand during the first four days (11–14 April) of the Songkran festival’s road safety campaign.

 

On 14 April alone, the fourth day of the campaign themed “Safe Driving, Accident-Free Thailand”, there were 241 reported crashes, resulting in 249 injuries and 34 fatalities.

 

 

Speeding and drunk driving remain the leading causes of road crashes, accounting for 44.40% and 24.90% of incidents respectively. Poor visibility contributed to 14.52% of the crashes. Motorcycles were involved in a staggering 77.20% of all crashes, with most incidents occurring on straight roads (85.89%), particularly on highways and rural village roads.

 

Crashes were most frequent during the late afternoon and evening, especially between 15:00 and 18:00. The age group most affected was 30–39 years, accounting for over 20% of casualties.

 

Bangkok recorded the highest number of deaths (13), while Phatthalung reported the highest number of crashes (36) and Lampang the most injuries (40). Notably, 24 provinces reported zero fatalities so far.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Surasak Phanchareonworakul, who heads the Songkran safety centre, said overall numbers had declined from last year, showing positive results from stricter enforcement.

 

In response, authorities have intensified efforts to curb risky behaviour through community checkpoints and family-based monitoring systems. Law enforcement agencies have been ordered to strictly enforce traffic laws, especially concerning speeding, traffic signal violations, and illegal alcohol sales, including to minors under 20.

 

In cases where underage individuals are found drinking and driving, police and local officials have been instructed to escort them and their vehicles home to prevent further incidents.

 

Provinces have also been urged to closely monitor public water-splashing activities, prepare for the mass return of travellers to Bangkok and other economic zones, and ensure that public transport is both sufficient and safe. Operators of buses and vans have been instructed to check the mechanical condition of vehicles and screen drivers for alcohol consumption or sedative drug use before duty.

 

The government also called for the establishment of roadside safety and rest stops along major highways to support drivers on long journeys.

 

Deputy Director-General of DDPM, Saharat Wongsakunwiwat, stressed that today, marking the traditional Thai New Year, is the final official day of the Songkran festival, and many are expected to begin travelling back to Bangkok. Authorities are urging drivers to plan ahead, monitor traffic updates, and rest every four hours for at least 30 minutes during their journey.

 

Amid forecasts of thunderstorms and strong winds in many parts of the country, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces, motorists have also been warned to avoid risky travel routes and remain alert to weather-related dangers such as lightning, falling trees, and unstable billboards.

 

Related article:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1357731-thailand’s-songkran-road-death-toll-reaches-100-after-just-three-days/

 

-- 2025-04-15

 

 

[Photoguy21]

How many died later in hospital due to injuries sustained in a road accident?

[Captain Flack]

A troll post has been removed.

 

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[ikke1959]

and many provinces did not report their deaths and accidents, or only those with no casualties. just to keep the figures low and a so called give a feeling of safety. Numbers are totally different than previous years

[bkk6060]

Drink, speed, reckless,  tailgate, play on phone.

If you kill someone it is just anther pile of dead meat in the road.  Get it out of the way, scoop it up and move on.  Who's next?

[WHansen]

Socially acceptable to drink drive, taking Yabba pills and untrained drivers, what could possibly go wrong.

RIP to the innocent victims.

[bkksteve123]

Thailand has some 50 road traffic deaths per day on average, making Songkran below the average. Yet, always the same stories when Songkran comes along. Yeah, lots of low intelligence driving going on out there, as always.

 

https://www.who.int/thailand/our-work/road-safety#:~:text=According to the fifth Global,countries for road traffic deaths.

[ozz1]

So much for their road safety campaign seriously they are really going to address this  but they won't

[Ralf001]

34.5 daily average, great result.. a decent chunk less then a normal day in Thailand.

[Ralf001]

54 minutes ago, WHansen said:

Socially acceptable to drink drive, taking Yabba pills and untrained drivers, what could possibly go wrong.

RIP to the innocent victims.

 

Atleast it is a lot lower than a typical day.

[TorquayFan]

The 'Authorities' seem to use national occasions such as Songkran, to push a general message for greater road safety. And why not of course?

 

However, road death statistics historically show that the average daily toll historically is about 38 deaths a day - (80% + of those due to motorbike accidents).

 

38 daily includes deaths which occur later away from the scene, in hospital etc., (but the lower figures often disclosed at Songkran can include immediate deaths only).

 

Songkran congestion on major routes might actually make the main routes safer, with traffic moving slower?

 

But predominantly, road deaths result from motorbike accidents, wild driving (drink or drug fuelled) together with passenger overloads, phoning while riding , not wearing helmets and so on.

 

Whichever way you look at it, it's an ongoing tragedy and I see very little Policing going on from day to day. Surely, it's motorbike riders particularly that need more Policing to reduce the daily toll.

 

Drive safely all.

 

 

[watchcat]

15 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

In cases where underage individuals are found drinking and driving, police and local officials have been instructed to escort them and their vehicles home to prevent further incidents.

 

Yes this will surely help them.

[hotchilli]

Any national holiday will experience roads deaths as people migrate to other locations.. just another normal holiday in Thailand.

[kimothai]

A weeding of the idiot gene pool. Unfortunately some innocent people get caught up in the fray 

[newbee2022]

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

In response, authorities have intensified efforts to curb risky behaviour through community checkpoints and family-based monitoring systems. Law enforcement agencies have been ordered to strictly enforce traffic laws, especially concerning speeding, traffic signal violations, and illegal alcohol sales, including to minors under 20.

All good ideas. Only for these few days or 365 days?

I'm missing the education area. Kindergarten, schools, universities.

You have to train kids from the beginning.

Also the way to get a driver's license is far too easy.

Hardly no driving training, insufficient tests for scooter, big bikes, cars, trucks.,..all vehicles.

Forewarned is forearmed (not yet in Thailand)

 

[mrfill]

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The Deputy Minister of Education, Surasak Phanchareonworakul, who heads the Songkran safety centre, said overall numbers had declined from last year, showing positive results from stricter enforcement.

Hooray!

Drinks all round and then off for a drive to the golf club to celebrate.....

 

The numbers seem to have reduced from appalling to slightly less than appalling.

[Purdey]

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

In cases where underage individuals are found drinking and driving, police and local officials have been instructed to escort them and their vehicles home to prevent further incidents.

They were breaking the law, but not put in jail, fined, or otherwise punished?

Maybe that's a tad soft on crime.

[black tabby12345]

during the first four days (11–14 April) of the Songkran

 

Do they include April 11-12 "Songkran"?

[Ralf001]

Just now, black tabby12345 said:

during the first four days (11–14 April) of the Songkran

 

Do they include April 11-12 "Songkran"?

 

Is this a trick question ?

[black tabby12345]

13 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Is this a trick question ?

 

No, honest simple question.

I felt puzzled when the news text said first 4 days.

Known Songkran is April 13-15, for 3 days while 16th is often part of the public holidays(when coincided with the weekend).

 

[Ralf001]

2 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

No, honest simple question.

I felt puzzled when the news text said first 4 days.

Known Songkran is April 13-15, for 3 days while 16th is often part of the public holidays(when coincided with the weekend).

 

 

11 and 12 are included in the "seven dangerous days" as many people will travel  to their homes provinces on these days.

[KannikaP]

7 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

No, honest simple question.

I felt puzzled when the news text said first 4 days.

Known Songkran is April 13-15, for 3 days while 16th is often part of the public holidays(when coincided with the weekend).

 

Does today, Wednesday 16th, coincide with the weekend?

[black tabby12345]

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

11 and 12 are included in the "seven dangerous days" as many people will travel  to their homes provinces on these days.

 

 

Understood it is referring to the higher road accident risks just before and after the water festival.

Thank you for your post.

[Ralf001]

12 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

 

Understood it is referring to the higher road accident risks just before and after the water festival.

Thank you for your post.

before, during and after.

"7 deadly days".

[Georgealbert]

18 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

 

 

Understood it is referring to the higher road accident risks just before and after the water festival.

Thank you for your post.

Update is posted daily.