Thailand’s seven-day Songkran road safety campaign has ended with 1,242 reported accidents, leaving 1,200 people injured and claiming 242 lives nationwide. Authorities also noted that 10 provinces recorded no fatalities during the period.
According to Mr Thiraphat Khatchamart, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and head of the Road Safety Directing Centre, this year’s overall figures reflect a notable improvement compared with the three-year Songkran average. He disclosed the figures on Friday.
Data from the centre showed that on Thursday, the seventh and final day of the campaign, there were 123 accidents, resulting in 123 injuries and 17 deaths.
Excessive speed remained the primary contributing factor, responsible for 40.65% of incidents, followed by dangerous lane cutting at close range, which accounted for 25.20%.
Motorcycles were involved in most cases, representing 64.55% of all accidents. A significant proportion occurred on straight roads (87.80%), with highways accounting for 44.72% and local roads managed by tambon administrative organisations and villages making up 27.64%.
Regionally, Chiang Rai reported the highest number of accidents on the final day with eight cases, while Pattani recorded the most injuries at 11. Nakhon Pathom registered the highest death toll for the day, with three fatalities, Mr Thiraphat said.
For the full seven-day period from April 10 to 16, cumulative figures stood at 1,242 accidents, 1,200 injuries and 242 deaths nationwide.
Phrae recorded the highest number of accidents (48) and injuries (50), while Bangkok reported the highest number of fatalities, with 21 deaths.
Ten provinces recorded zero fatalities throughout the campaign: Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, Pattani, Phangnga, Rayong, Satun, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Nong Bua Lamphu and Mae Hong Son.
When measured against the government’s 2026 road safety action plan, which targets at least a 5% reduction from the three-year Songkran average, the results surpassed expectations.
Accidents declined by 35.59%, injuries fell by 37.53%, and fatalities dropped by 9.70%, Mr Thiraphat said.
By comparison, last year’s Songkran campaign, held from April 11 to 17, recorded 1,538 accidents, 1,495 injuries and 253 deaths.
