CHIANG RAI – Thailand’s roads took another grim turn during the 2026 New Year holiday break, with 53 people killed on the second day of the yearly “Seven Dangerous Days” road safety watch.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said there were 271 accidents across the country on 31 December, leaving 53 dead and 262 injured. Across the first two days of the monitoring period, totals reached 86 deaths, 452 injuries, and 469 crashes.
The “Seven Dangerous Days” campaign runs from 30 December 2025 to 5 January 2026. It tracks the extra risk on the roads as large numbers of people travel to their home provinces or head to tourist areas for New Year celebrations.
Speeding and drink driving
Officials said speeding led the list of causes on the second day, linked to 40.96% of crashes. Drink driving followed at 27.31%, a familiar pattern during holiday travel. Motorcycles featured in most accidents (74.44%). Many crashes happened on straight roads (82.29%) and on secondary highways (39.48%). The most dangerous time was 6:01 pm to 9:00 pm, when New Year’s Eve events were in full swing and alcohol use increased.
DDPM Director-General Teerapat Kachamat said the deaths were avoidable. He warned that some drivers keep breaking basic safety rules, even with extra checkpoints and public messages in place. Officials also pointed to a brighter note, with 36 provinces reporting no deaths so far, showing that firm enforcement and safer choices can reduce harm.
The national figures were bleak, but the impact was not spread evenly. Phetchaburi recorded the most accidents on the second day, with 12 crashes. On the first day, Chiang Rai and Phuket had the highest number of crashes, tied at 12 each. Phuket logged the most injuries (12), while Bangkok recorded the most deaths (three).
Safety efforts continue, but risky habits persist
These higher numbers match traffic flows on routes to busy northern areas such as Chiang Rai, southern beach destinations, and main roads out of the capital. Drivers in these areas faced packed roads, with families travelling home and others heading to countdown events.
The rise in crashes came despite broad steps to reduce danger. The Royal Thai Police increased checks under its list of “10 major traffic offences”, with a focus on speeding and alcohol screening. Authorities also offered free motorway tolls, added transport services, and set up round-the-clock emergency support teams to help manage the holiday rush.
Even so, officials and health workers pointed to common problems that keep showing up each year. Long trips can lead to tired drivers. Some people feel overconfident after celebrations.
Helmet and seatbelt use also remains inconsistent, especially among motorcycle riders, who make up a large share of serious injuries and deaths. Public health staff warned that drink driving harms far more than the driver, with families left grieving at what should be the start of a hopeful year.
Chiang Rai Records 11 Accidents on Day 1
In Chiang Rai, local officials reported 11 accidents on the first day, with speeding and alcohol linked to many cases. Provincial leaders urged communities to run local checkpoints to stop impaired drivers before they reach main roads.
With the holiday period still underway, authorities repeated their call for care on the roads. A DDPM spokesperson said the New Year should be a time for reunion, not loss. Key advice included choosing a sober driver, taking breaks on long journeys, and using ride-hailing services after parties.
With five days left in the campaign, concern remains high. Last year’s New Year period ended with hundreds of deaths, a harsh target officials want to avoid in 2026. Road safety groups said the biggest change starts with simple actions, slowing down, buckling up, wearing a helmet, and never driving after drinking.
Thailand’s roads are busy with people heading into the new year, but the growing numbers are a clear warning that celebrations should not cost lives.
