Road accidents in Thailand fell in 2025, according to new data released on 26 February at the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Traffic Management Centre, said statistics show a decline in crashes, fatalities and injuries. However, speeding remains the leading cause of accidents nationwide.

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The data comes from the Police Road Safety (PRS) database, developed and implemented by the Traffic Management Centre under the direction of Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. The system collects and analyses in-depth accident data to support more targeted and effective prevention measures. It forms part of a broader push to improve road safety standards across the country.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

PRS figures for 2025 recorded 20,967 road accidents, a decrease of more than 11% from the previous year. Fatalities totalled 11,779, down more than 15%, while injuries fell by over 20% to 12,182 cases. Police said the reductions reflect proactive enforcement efforts by traffic officers nationwide.

Despite the overall decline, speeding remains the primary cause of road accidents. Other leading factors include cutting in at close range, drowsy driving, tailgating and drink-driving. Motorcycles continue to account for the highest number of vehicles involved in accidents.

Analysis also highlighted vehicle condition as a significant risk factor. Common issues include defective headlights and tail lights reducing visibility, unauthorised vehicle modifications affecting control, brake system failures preventing timely stops, tyre blowouts due to wear or improper inflation, and faulty indicators leading to unsafe lane changes.

The Traffic Management Centre has urged motorists to regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure they meet safety standards. Drivers are also advised to avoid illegal or unsafe vehicle modifications. Authorities stressed that enforcement against high-risk behaviours, particularly speeding and dangerous overtaking, will continue.

Pol Gen Samran said accident prevention must be systematic, combining strict law enforcement with public education and data-driven analysis. Lessons from areas with strong performance will be applied elsewhere, and high-risk locations identified through PRS will be prioritised for corrective action. Cooperation with relevant agencies will also be strengthened to promote sustainable safe driving behaviour.

Daily News reported that Pol Lt Gen Nitithorn Jintakanon, head of the Traffic Police Image Enhancement Working Group, said road accidents are not a matter of fate but of driver behaviour and split-second decisions. He stated that respecting the law, maintaining traffic discipline and checking vehicle readiness before travel can genuinely reduce losses. “On the road there is no opportunity to rewind; only prevention can save lives,” he said.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand recorded 20,967 road accidents in 2025, down more than 11% year-on-year.

• Speeding remains the leading cause of crashes, followed by close-range overtaking and drink-driving.

• Police will intensify enforcement and promote vehicle safety checks to sustain reductions.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 27 Feb 2026

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Drink driving and phone use must be major reasons, i see drink drivers every morning

It’s interesting that Pol Gen Samran is now stressing systematic prevention through strict law enforcement.

That’s a clear shift from the earlier police campaign of “warning motorists rather than fining.”

The mixed messaging is part of the problem. Drivers don’t take warnings seriously if they know enforcement is lax.

Speeding remains the top cause, and without consistent penalties, the numbers won’t drop much further.

If prevention is to be truly systematic, the police need to stick to one approach and enforce it uniformly, not swing between soft warnings and hard fines.

Speeding, drunk driving, phone use.... could be effectively dealt with if there were highway patrols charged with enforcing the laws. "You may say I'm a dreamer.... but I'm not the only one...."

We’re leaving in the morning to go visit my in-laws. I’m expecting to see the usual mixture of speeding, dangerous overpassing, changing lanes with not enough space, tailgating at high speeds, etc. Wish me luck.

I’m happy to read the number of accidents, injuries, fatalities declined but there’s a long way to go before the highways are safe. IMHO, higher fines and additional enforcement are needed to deter the worst offenders. I believe they could turn such enforcement into a self funded profit center.