Thailand’s 2023 Songkran Holiday Sees 264 Deaths and 2,208 Injured

According to official numbers released on Tuesday, there were 2,203 vehicle accidents over the Songkran Festival, resulting in 264 deaths and 2,208 injuries.

According to Interior Deputy Permanent Secretary Chotenarin Kerdson, there were 183 incidents on Monday, the final day of the seven-day campaign for safe driving, with 16 deaths and 202 injuries.

Speeding was responsible for 45% of the incidents on Monday, with sudden lane switching accounting for 17%.

According to the Bangkok Post, motorbikes were involved in 80% of the accidents, with 46% occurring on highways and 30% on local tambon and village roads. The majority of accidents, or 83.6%, occurred on straight roadways. With 9.3% of all incidents occurring between 3pm and 4pm, this was the most accident-prone time period.

Kanchanaburi had the most accidents, with 11, and the most injuries, with 13. Chanthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nan, Ratchaburi, and Lamphun had the most deaths, with two apiece.

Seven-day safe driving campaign

There were 1,869 major traffic checkpoints around the country, manned by 54,274 officials. A total of 279,873 vehicles were stopped for inspection, and 39,611 traffic violators were prosecuted, including 11,013 for driving without a license and 10,530 for not wearing a safety helmet.

Mr Chotenarin, chairman of the road accident prevention and reduction committee, stated that during the seven-day safe driving campaign from April 11 to 17, there were 2,203 accidents, resulting in 264 deaths and injuring 2,208 people.

Chiang Rai had the most accidents, 68 in total. Bangkok had the most deaths, with 22, and Nakhon Si Thammarat had the most injuries, with 70. In the south, the provinces of Phatthalung and Phangnga were devoid of deadly incidents.

According to Boontham Lertsukhikasemsuk, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, the number of accidents and injuries was slightly higher than last year during the seven-day campaign, but road deaths were down 5%. Speeding-related accidents decreased by 1.5%, while drunk driving decreased by 3.26%.

The number of injured was 13% lower than the previous three-year average, and the number of road fatalities was 15% lower. According to him, the leading causes of accidents were still speeding and drunk driving, and the majority of incidents involved motorbikes.

No Helmet Injuries During Songkran

The majority of the fatalities and injuries were caused by people riding motorcycles without a crash helmet.

The Thai Ministry of Transport enforces the helmet regulation, which aims to promote road safety and reduce the number of motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities.

While riding a motorbike, all motorcyclists and their passengers, regardless of age, are required to wear a helmet that meets Thai Ministry of Industry regulations. The helmet must be correctly fitted and firmly attached.

Helmets used in Thailand must meet Thai Ministry of Industry criteria, which include impact resistance, penetration resistance, and retention system efficacy.

punishments for noncompliance: Violations of Thailand’s helmet regulation may result in fines and other punishments. The particular fines and penalties may differ based on the jurisdiction and the gravity of the offence.

It’s crucial to note that laws and regulations might change over time, so for the most up-to-date and correct information on Thailand’s helmet law, always consult updated and official sources. Furthermore, wearing a helmet is not only a legal necessity, but also a crucial safety precaution to protect motorcyclists and their passengers from head injuries in the event of an accident.

Thailand Horrific Road Accident Rate

Thailand has one of the highest road traffic mortality rates in the world, according to WHO estimates, with an estimated 22,491 deaths due to road accidents in 2019. According to the WHO, the fatality rate from road accidents in Thailand is 32.7 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the global average.

Road accidents in Thailand are caused by a variety of circumstances, including reckless driving, speeding, inadequate traffic enforcement, inadequate road infrastructure, a lack of road safety education, drunk driving, and the failure to wear seat belts and helmets. Motorcycles account for a considerable proportion of traffic accidents in Thailand.

The Thai government has taken initiatives to improve road safety, including stronger traffic rules, increased penalties for traffic offences, improved road infrastructure, and more road safety education.

However, minimising road accidents in Thailand continues to be a serious challenge that necessitates continual efforts from numerous stakeholders, including the government, law enforcement agencies, and the general people, to raise awareness about road safety and promote responsible driving behaviours.