Thailand recorded 71 deaths and 344 road accidents over the first two days of the 2026 Songkran holiday period, according to the updated figures from the Road Safety Operation Centre (RSOC). The figures highlight a rise in fatalities during what is traditionally known as the “Seven Dangerous Days”. Authorities have responded by tightening enforcement and increasing safety measures across the country.

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On 12 April 2026, at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, announced that on 11 April alone, there were 208 accidents, 185 injuries, and 50 deaths. Speeding accounted for 45.71 percent of accidents, followed by drink driving at 24.76 percent. Motorcycles were involved in 61 percent of incidents, with most crashes occurring on straight roads and highways.

The highest number of accidents and injuries on 11 April were recorded in Lampang, with 12 accidents and 14 injuries. The highest number of deaths was reported in Nakhon Ratchasima and Phitsanulok, with three fatalities each. Most victims were aged between 20 and 29 years, representing 22.88 percent of casualties.

Cumulative data for 10 to 11 April showed 344 accidents, 317 injuries, and 71 deaths nationwide. Nan recorded the highest number of accidents at 17, while Nan and Lampang reported the highest injuries with 17 each. Prachinburi and Phitsanulok recorded the highest cumulative deaths at four each, while 39 provinces reported zero fatalities.

Separately, the Department of Probation reported 1,174 cases entering probation on 11 April, of which 1,127 cases, or 96 percent, involved drink driving. Drug-impaired driving accounted for 47 cases. Over the first two days, there were 1,610 cases in total, including 1,480 drink driving cases, 127 drug-related cases, and three reckless driving cases. Chiang Mai recorded the highest number of drink driving cases at 246, followed by Nonthaburi with 147 and Samut Prakan with 145.

Authorities have intensified safety efforts as many people continue travelling or celebrating. Measures include stricter law enforcement, monitoring of Songkran water play zones and restrictions on alcohol sales to individuals under 20 years old. Community checkpoints and door-to-door visits are being used to deter risky behaviour such as drink driving, failure to wear safety equipment, and driving without licences.

Officials have also deployed rapid response teams to festival areas and religious sites to prevent dangerous behaviour. Public health volunteers and local authorities are working together to stop intoxicated individuals from driving.

Amarin reported that authorities are urging the public to follow traffic laws and avoid risky behaviour to reduce further casualties. Emergency incidents can be reported via hotline 1784 or the Line account @1784DDPM for immediate assistance.

Picture courtesy of DDPM

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Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 12 Apr 2026

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Isn't the daily average around 50 whatever time of year?

And most of them on straight roads, youngish men, between 4 and 8 pm?

For those that are interested in statistics, statistical analysis, and fact finding, here is a web page with a comprehensive collation of relevant road accident/injury/death statistics.

https://www.thairsc.com

The RSOC can publish all the charts and numbers it wants, but none of that changes the underlying reality: road safety simply isn’t a national priority for most people here.

Whether it’s the so‑called “7 dangerous days” or any other time of year, the behaviour on the roads barely shifts.

The annual Songkran stats are treated like a seasonal spectacle, but the real statistic is the everyday one - speeding, drunk riding, no helmets, no enforcement, and no cultural pressure to change.

Until attitudes shift and laws are actually enforced consistently, these reports will keep repeating themselves year after year.

Drove 210k round trip to a temple festival on saturday. Approx 15 cars in convoy.

Looked like 10 of the drivers parked up under the trees & drank beer & whiskey for 4 hours before driving home.

It's in their DNA.🙃🙃

I am in the process of renewing my driver's license, and according to DLT and their online video tutorial, 60 people die in traffic every day in Thailand, and almost 3 people die every hour.

Felt

5 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Drove 210k round trip to a temple festival on saturday. Approx 15 cars in convoy.

Looked like 10 of the drivers parked up under the trees & drank beer & whiskey for 4 hours before driving home.

It's in their DNA.🙃🙃

Not in their. DNA but the lazy and incompetent RTP, together with the very low fines

On a positive note, someone made an effort to remove as many road obstacles due to construction as possible between Hua Hin and Bangkok. Aside from the runway extension at Hua Hin, the route was free and clear. I have never seen that before. Traffic was remarkably light too. My driver drove (in a responsible manner) and I was in Bangkok in 2 hours and 45 minutes. My usual journey is 3 1/2 hours. So, mark me down for a positive experience.

This rubbish has been promulgated for at least 30 years now – the stats are worthless, the police don't know what to do, no one seems to understand the science of road safety, and figures for road safety at Songkhran have consistently shown little to no change or are slightly LOWER than the annual daily average. The media and commentators on social media, etc., are equally as ignorant as the Thai authorities – in these circumstances, how can anything significantly change??

Look at the type of traffic over the holiday period and note that the number of collisions, they are about the same as UK reports for the Easter holiday – but the DEATHS are much higher – so why do you think that is???

1 hour ago, kwilco said:

how can anything significantly change?

So many factors involved with the change that is needed on thai roads.

according to WHO statistics, the average number of deaths per day on thailand's roads is 50, so 71 deaths in two days makes these 'dangerous' days actually safer than a normal day.

71 deaths in two days is still horrendously high.

8 hours ago, it is what it is said:

according to WHO statistics, the average number of deaths per day on thailand's roads is 50, so 71 deaths in two days makes these 'dangerous' days actually safer than a normal day.

71 deaths in two days is still horrendously high.

Indeed no exceptional number of deaths as every year.

But don't spoil the campaign 🤣

Where are the pictures and videos of horrendous jams, opening opposite lanes, temporary opening of M6 etc.

Did I miss it?

The roads are pretty quiet here in Phuket since yesterday,

Every f**ing year! What am I talking about? Average road deaths, daily in Thailand is about 60 - 70, which is a lot. This year, miraculously, thanks to the otherwise largely absent measures of the police, road safety departments, etc, it has been cut to 70 over two days. I expect to get annoyed every year by this stuff, and, hey presto, here I am again.

12 hours ago, it is what it is said:

according to WHO statistics, the average number of deaths per day on thailand's roads is 50, so 71 deaths in two days makes these 'dangerous' days actually safer than a normal day.

Every year.... the deadly days Songkran and New years... always below the normal daily average.

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Not in their. DNA but the lazy and incompetent RTP, together with the very low fines

Good here 'innit?

I think you will find when you NEED them; they will be polite and efficient. Oh and probably not in uniform.

They manage to find drug dealer trying to escape to Lao.

Do they waste money driving around in cars chasing people? No they have check points and let people come to them.

Do the have mobile patrols patrolling motorways? In my experience yes; on the Chonburi Motorway Hwy 7.

Do they stop people/tourists for not having a valid license or not wearing a helmet? Yes almost every day around the moat in Chiang Mai.

6 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Do the have mobile patrols patrolling motorways? In my experience yes; on the Chonburi Motorway Hwy 7

Yes 😁

And rarely on some highways (ages ago got a free warning).

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Not in their. DNA but the lazy and incompetent RTP, together with the very low fines

Has anybody experienced the announced rise?
Up to 4000 for speeding.
Last time (a year ago?) I was caught the maximum was 2000, got 1000.

27 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Has anybody experienced the announced rise?
Up to 4000 for speeding.
Last time (a year ago?) I was caught the maximum was 2000, got 1000.

I am never speeding. Too dangerous traffic and roads. Normal driving is already a challenge....