Thailand’s Songkran: 200 Deaths Mark '7 Dangerous Days' of Festival

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

As Thailand's Songkran festival, the traditional Thai New Year, unfolds, the joyous celebration has been overshadowed by a grim reality. The Road Safety Centre reports that the death toll has climbed to 200, with over 1,300 injuries during the first six days of the festival, putting a spotlight on the country's persistent road safety challenges.

 

The yearly "Seven Dangerous Days" campaign, spanning April 11 to 16, recorded a troubling 1,377 road accidents, with speeding and motorcyclists featuring prominently in these incidents. The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Kachorn Srichavanothai, conveyed these unsettling figures at a press briefing, revealing that on April 16 alone, 155 accidents resulted in 22 fatalities and 149 injuries.

 

The bulk of these incidents are linked to motorcycles, prompting authorities to intensify efforts at checkpoints to ensure helmet compliance. "Although many have returned to work, others are still travelling back from holiday destinations. We will continue strict enforcement," Kachorn emphasised.

 

A detailed breakdown reveals Lampang bore the brunt of accidents and injuries yesterday, recording nine of each. In contrast, provinces like Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Pathum Thani, Ang Thong, and Phetchaburi each reported two deaths, marking them as particularly hazardous stretches.

 

Across the entire period from April 11 to 16, Bangkok reported the highest death toll with 16 fatalities, while Phatthalung recorded the most accidents at 52. Lampang, again, reported the highest number of injuries, tallying up to 56.

 

 

 

While the figures are concerning, there is a silver lining with 15 provinces recording zero fatalities, suggesting certain regions have managed to bolster road safety effectively.

 

Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, Deputy Director General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, issued a reminder to motorists to rest adequately and ensure their vehicles are in safe condition before hitting the road. "Fatigue and mechanical failures are a deadly combination," he warned, urging drivers to remain vigilant.

 

With one final day of Songkran travel ahead, authorities are on high alert. The overarching message is one of caution: "Drive safely, slow down, and keep your wits about you," officials urge, hoping to prevent further additions to the somber statistics.

 

As the Songkran festival draws to its close, the recent tragedies serve as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for improved road safety measures in Thailand. The festive season's dual nature—as a time of both celebration and danger—continues to call for vigilant action from both officials and the public alike, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-17

 

 

[webfact]

7 Dangerous Days, Road Safety Measures Extended as Thais Return from Songkran Holidays

 

Pictures courtesy of DDPM.

 

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued a strong directive for provincial authorities to remain vigilant and continue strict enforcement of traffic laws as millions of Thais return home following the Songkran holidays. The Centre for Road Safety Administration, under the Ministry of Interior, held a press briefing on 17 April, to outline ongoing safety measures and report the latest statistics on road accidents during the festive period.

 

Mr. Khachon Srichawanothai, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Chairman of the Special Subcommittee on Road Safety, urged all provinces and agencies to remain on high alert, especially on primary and secondary routes, transport hubs, and interprovincial highways leading back to Bangkok.

 

“Although the majority of people have returned to Bangkok and major cities, many continue to travel or have extended their holidays. Authorities must maintain efforts to manage traffic, inspect public transport vehicles, and provide convenience and safety for all travellers,” Mr. Khachon said.

 

He also emphasised the importance of preventing risky behaviours, such as speeding, drunk driving, abrupt lane changes, and the failure to use safety equipment. Local officials, including village heads and community leaders, have been instructed to monitor their residents and discourage dangerous behaviours, particularly drunk driving.

 

According to data released by the DDPM, motorcycles accounted for the highest number of accidents during the six-day campaign, representing 83.32% of all cases. Speeding remained the leading cause, followed by abrupt lane changes and poor visibility. The majority of incidents occurred on straight roads, especially those maintained by the Department of Highways and in rural villages.

 

Mr. Saharat Wongsakunwiwat, Deputy Director-General of the DDPM, called on provinces to integrate accident data from all relevant agencies and prepare comprehensive reports. These will be used to evaluate and improve safety operations during future festivals and long holidays.

 

On 16 April 2025 alone, 155 road accidents were reported, resulting in 149 injuries and 22 fatalities. Most accidents took place between 15:01 and 18:00 PM, with young adults aged 20–29 being the most affected demographic.

 

Lampang recorded the highest number of crashes (9), while the provinces with the most fatalities (2 each) were Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Pathum Thani, Ang Thong, and Phetchaburi. In total, over the first six days of the Songkran safety campaign (11–16 April), there were 1,377 road accidents, with 1,362 injuries and 200 fatalities. Fifteen provinces reported zero deaths.

Authorities have set up 1,754 official checkpoints nationwide, staffed by over 50,000 officers to monitor traffic, enforce road laws, and prevent fatigued or impaired driving. With thunderstorms and heavy rain forecasted in the North, Northeast, and Central regions from 18–20 April, and stormy seas expected in Southern coastal areas, officials are also ramping up safety measures for maritime travel and issuing public weather warnings.

 

Travellers are urged to rest adequately, ensure their vehicles are in good condition, wear helmets and seatbelts, and strictly observe traffic laws.

 

As the country continues its efforts to reduce road casualties, authorities hope that increased awareness and sustained enforcement will lead to safer roads for all.

 

Related article:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1357881-7-dangerous-days-sees-step-up-in-road-safety-measures-for-post-songkran-travel/

 

-- 2025-04-17

 

[tutone]

Average traffic fatalities around 50 per day, so just another typical week on the roads of Thailand.

[Ralf001]

1 minute ago, tutone said:

Average traffic fatalities around 50 per day, so just another typical week on the roads of Thailand.

 

Your calculator broken?

[kiwikeith]

A festival it's called with a death toll worse than the earthquake, it's a mess every year, it's stupidity on a massive scale. 

[fredwiggy]

It seems there's less deaths during Songkran than any other normal week during the year. 50 to 60 deaths daily compared to 200 in 7 days. I'm thinking more traffic, which means slower driving, has the numbers lower. This along with more walking and throwing water than out driving.

[shavedPotter]

Dangerous days?  prefer to call them Darwin days.

[watchcat]

40 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

A festival it's called with a death toll worse than the earthquake, it's a mess every year, it's stupidity on a massive scale. 

 

You got that right.

[Ralf001]

44 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

A festival it's called with a death toll worse than the earthquake, it's a mess every year, it's stupidity on a massive scale. 

 

Yeah should be rid of these festivals... 50 dead a day (rather than 28) is a much better result.

[Olof Karlsson]

I think its good with songkran,because the traffic injuries and deaths are only half of a normal week

[BillyBloggs]

I dont believe those figures at all.

[riverhigh]

"While the figures are concerning, there is a silver lining with 15 provinces recording zero fatalities, suggesting certain regions have managed to bolster road safety effectively."

 

Let me guess Chonburi wasn't one of them. Pattaya will make sure (past, present or future) that Chonburi will never be a part of the zero fatalities siver lining. 

[hotsun]

Wow alot of people believe those numbers. Perhaps the thai government should do that every day, if it means saving face

[JackGats]

1 hour ago, tutone said:

Average traffic fatalities around 50 per day, so just another typical week on the roads of Thailand.

Indeed, and average hard drug overdoses per day how many? 0.5?

 

Much of what is wrong with modern Societies is that they can't get their priorities right.

[AhFarangJa]

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM)

The Centre for Road Safety Administration

Ministry of Interior and Chairman of the Special Subcommittee on Road Safety

Lots of departments, all full of talking heads, spouting condescending platitudes to a populus that is neither capable, or willing, to accept change.

Sadly the death toll here is a daily occurence that will only get worse as the number of drivers increases. We all know (and I am including the indeginous population), what the main problem is, and it will take more than a generation to rectify it. 

[thailand49]

Year after year same BS 7 days of this and that!  

Solution replace the leaders all of them that's the problem and solution.

[zzvv]

This festival should be kept strictly for the Thai people, for them its fun .  The Farang will want to cause mayhem and chaos and death ....Its what we do. Last night I was behind a bus on Beach rd Pattaya and the schooter in front of me , right behind the bus stopped at the red light and he got about 7 buckets of water over him , he was drenched , the bus was full of Farang and then they hit him with an empty bucket .....

[Humpy]

So none of the injured ,that ended up in hospital, died !!?   The real total of deaths should include those who died in hospital !!

[bbbbooboo]

hmm … everyday is a dangerous day on Thailand. roads. Maybe something should be done to reduce the death toll,but that might be too simple?

 

[gravia]

To who said the calculators broken. The world WHO org  posted death rates on the road  in Thailand as 50 per day, so  6 days of songran appear to be 100 less than average.

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, hotsun said:

Wow alot of people believe those numbers. Perhaps the thai government should do that every day, if it means saving face

 

The governement should publish the numbers every day of the week.... then watch the crying farnags go into meltdown !

[Ralf001]

1 minute ago, gravia said:

To who said the calculators broken. The world WHO org  posted death rates on the road  in Thailand as 50 per day, so  6 days of songran appear to be 100 less than average.

According to my calculator the numbers is 28.5 per day .... almost half a normal non festival day.

[trainman34014]

''The Authorities are on High Alert''.......Zzzzzzzz more like !

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

As Thailand's Songkran festival, the traditional Thai New Year, unfolds, the joyous celebration has been overshadowed by a grim reality. The Road Safety Centre reports that the death toll has climbed to 200, with over 1,300 injuries during the first six days of the festival, putting a spotlight on the country's persistent road safety challenges

[kuzmabruk]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

We will continue strict enforcement

What he meant to say was “We will setup a committee to discuss whether it is anywhere in the realm of possibility that we begin a test enforcement program in a small village, and after a 20-year test phase we will evaluate the results and make recommendations”

[craighj]

Does this stuff ever change, more Blah, Blah, Blah from the responsible agencies and government bodies and absolutely no concrete actions!

 

Who was it who said "the definition of crazy is doing the same thing everytime and expecting a different outcome"!

 

Ah Thailand!

[pomchop]

Meantime in Viet Nam almost every one wears a helmet all the time.  Very rare to see no helmet.

 

Amazing what having your motorbike confiscated for no helmet will do to convince everyone to wear a helmet. 

 

Meantime back in Thailand almost equally rare to see people wearing helmet. 

 

  If serious about at least attempting to cut down on deaths and serious injuries just copy viet nam??

[pomchop]

oops..just googled viet nam and see no they do not confiscate motorbikes...friend there told me they did...apparently there is a big fine...in any case however or whatever they do in nam certainly works.

[Aussie999]

"While the figures are concerning, there is a silver lining with 15 provinces recording zero fatalities, suggesting certain regions have managed to bolster road safety effectively," hardly a silver linings Ning, means 57 provinces with casualties... the 15 without, probably more to luck, anyway, still a day or 2, they can still add to the list, in the end a success will be announced, though no improvement has actually been achieved.

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

21 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"Drive safely, slow down, and keep your wits about you,"

They do but, they're all halfwits.