Thailand’s Road Death Toll Hits 145 on Day 3 of “Seven Dangerous Days”

CHIANG RAI – Thailand’s roads turned fatal again during the New Year travel rush. On the third day of the annual “Seven Dangerous Days” road safety campaign, the Road Safety Centre reported 54 deaths in a single day. The number added to a growing toll as people continued to travel for the holiday break.

Officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said speeding caused the largest share of crashes on 1 January. It made up more than 40% of incidents. Drink-driving followed at close to 30%. Motorcycles were involved in many collisions again, highlighting how exposed riders are on busy routes.

The “Seven Dangerous Days” campaign runs from 30 December 2025 to 5 January 2026. It targets the yearly rise in road crashes during the festive period. The early numbers remain grim. Across the first three days (30 December 2025 to 1 January 2026), Thailand recorded 798 crashes, 769 injuries, and 145 deaths.

Phuket Leads Crashes, Bangkok Leads Deaths

The impact was felt nationwide, though some provinces reported heavier losses. Phuket recorded the most crashes on the third day, with 16 incidents. It also had 18 injuries, the highest total in the country for injuries that day. With crowded streets and tourists often using hired scooters, the island’s roads come under extra strain during peak seasons.

Bangkok reported the highest number of deaths, with seven fatalities. Heavy traffic and late-night celebrations that run into the early hours likely played a part in the rise.

Chiang Rai Also Hit by Serious Crashes

Chiang Rai did not avoid the harm. Local officials reported several serious collisions during the period, including single-vehicle crashes often seen on rural roads. One major case involved a pickup truck rolling over on a steep section near Mae Chan district. Two people died after the driver reportedly lost control while speeding.

Another crash on the Chiang Rai to Phayao route involved a car and a motorcycle in a head-on collision. Three people were injured, and one rider died at the scene.

These incidents reflect patterns seen in earlier holiday campaigns, when Chiang Rai often ranks high for single-vehicle crashes. During the 2024 to 2025 New Year campaign, the province recorded 12 single-vehicle incidents and five deaths.

Locals and officials have voiced the same concerns again, pointing to thick morning fog, sharp bends, and overloaded vehicles on family trips.

Driving Habits in Thailand Keep Fueling the New Year Road Toll

Road safety observers say long-standing driving habits remain a major factor behind the yearly spike in deaths. Speeding is widely seen on open roads, with some drivers pushing 40 to 50 km/h above the limit to save time on long journeys.

Tailgating is also common, especially on dual carriageways. Drivers often flash their headlights to force others to move while following too closely behind. This can pressure slower drivers, including tourists and lorries, into pulling over suddenly, which raises the risk of a crash.

Risky overtaking on blind bends remains another danger, particularly on smaller roads through hills and farmland. In areas such as Chiang Rai, some drivers cross solid lines on curves or crests, hoping no vehicle appears from the other direction.

A local lorry driver, speaking anonymously, described it as a gamble, adding that sounding the horn does not prevent a collision if another vehicle is already coming.

Observers link these behaviours to weak enforcement, gaps in driver training, and a “mai pen rai” (never mind) mindset that plays down risk. Motorcycles increase the danger because many riders skip helmets, carry extra passengers, or weave through traffic at speed.

Alcohol adds to the risk during holidays. Even with checkpoints and warnings, drinking remains a big part of New Year’s gatherings. Officials said close to a third of crashes involve alcohol, and the rate often rises at night.

Pressure Builds for Stronger Road Safety Action

Road safety groups are again calling for broader changes. They want tougher penalties, more random breath testing, clearer warning signs on known danger spots, and education that speaks directly to young riders.

The government has increased checkpoints this year under the message, “Drive safely, slow down, reduce accidents,” though critics say enforcement can still be uneven outside major cities.

In Chiang Rai, police have added patrols on key routes, including roads to the Golden Triangle and main links towards Chiang Mai. With four days still left in the campaign, many fear the final New Year road death toll could match or surpass last year’s total.

As families grieve and hospitals care for the injured, the holiday mood has darkened. Thailand’s roads carry people home to celebrate, but they also demand caution, stricter rules, and real change to stop another New Year from ending in preventable loss.