The Road Safety Centre has reported 27 fatalities and 188 injuries from 191 road accidents on day five of the New Year holiday travel period, as authorities intensified checks to manage heavy return journeys to Bangkok and key economic provinces. Officials confirmed stricter enforcement against speeding and drowsy driving, alongside expanded roadside service points to support travellers.

The figures were announced on 4 January 2026 at 10.15am by the Road Safety Centre at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. The data covers 3 January 2026, the fifth day of the national road safety campaign “Drive Safely, Reduce Speed, Reduce Accidents,” which runs from 30 December 2025 to 5 January 2026.

Public Health Minister Phatthana Phromphat, who chaired the briefing, said speeding accounted for 33.51% of accidents, followed by cutting in sharply at 22.51%. Motorcycles were involved in 72.62% of cases, with most crashes occurring on straight roads at 84.82%, particularly on highways under the Department of Highways at 40.84% and local roads at 31.41%.

Peak accident times were 09.01–12.00, 12.01–15.00 and 18.01–21.00, each accounting for 16.75%. The highest proportion of casualties were aged 20–29 at 16.28%, while Lampang recorded the most accidents and injuries at 10 cases and 10 injured and Bangkok the highest deaths at three.

Pictures courtesy of DDPM

Cumulative figures for the five-day period recorded 1,185 accidents, 1,141 injuries and 207 deaths nationwide. Phuket had the highest number of accidents and injuries, at 47 and 51 respectively, while Bangkok recorded the highest cumulative deaths at 18 and nine provinces reported zero fatalities.

Authorities warned that traffic volumes would remain high on major routes as people return to Bangkok and economic hubs. Provincial transport offices were instructed to inspect public bus drivers and vehicle conditions strictly, ensure sufficient services to prevent stranded passengers, and enforce the “10 key offences” including speeding, drink-driving, failure to wear helmets or seatbelts and fatigued driving.

The Ministry of Public Health confirmed emergency medical readiness nationwide, with 10,723 emergency units deployed and the NDEMS digital system supporting the 1669 emergency hotline, including location tracking and video calls. By 3 January 2026, more than 8,500 traffic accident-related calls had been received, while alcohol law enforcement recorded 1,543 violations from 25,070 inspections.

The Road Safety Centre urged motorists to rest when tired, monitor weather conditions, and exercise caution on routes such as Rama 2 Road where flooding may occur due to high tides. The public can report accidents via the 1784 hotline or Line ID @1784DDPM, available 24 hours a day.

Pictures courtesy of DDPM

Key Takeaways

• Day five of the New Year road safety campaign recorded 27 deaths and 191 accidents nationwide.

• Speeding and motorcycle use remain the leading risk factors during peak return travel.

• Authorities have intensified enforcement, transport checks and emergency medical readiness.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from DDPM 2026-01-04

 

 

Oh good, time to take down the tents and head back to the AC offices for 12 more months.

Peak accident times were 09.01–12.00, 12.01–15.00 and 18.01–21.00,

why not just say 9am - 3pm then a 3 hour som tam break

then pick it up at 6pm

When you have a system in place that is reactionary rather than preventative expect things not to improve.

Troll post removed.

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