In a scene that has become all too familiar, the outbound lanes of Road 24 in Nang Rong district, Buri Ram, were bustling with vehicles this past Saturday. The highway, a vital artery connecting Nakhon Ratchasima to other provinces in the lower northeastern region of Thailand, was teeming with travelers eager to celebrate the arrival of Songkran — the Thai New Year festival. Yet, amidst the festive fervor, officials reported a sobering statistic: the first day of the Songkran holiday travel period had tragically claimed 27 lives, with 201 others injured in a series of road accidents.
As soon as the festivities kicked off on Friday, the Road Safety Operation Centre tallied a total of 211 traffic mishaps. Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Public Health, highlighted a slight improvement in these alarming figures compared to the previous year. In 2024, the same day chronicled 241 incidents resulting in 29 fatalities and 253 injuries.
The culprit behind this year’s accidents? Speed. A staggering 41% of these unfortunate incidents were attributed to drivers exceeding the speed limit. Another quarter involved the risky maneuver of weaving in front of oncoming vehicles, while 23% were tied to the perilous combination of alcohol and driving.
Mukdahan province earned an unwelcome accolade with the most reported accidents — 11 in total — and 12 people injured. Meanwhile, the hustle and bustle of Bangkok sadly culminated in the most fatalities, numbering five. Motorcycles, the trusty steeds for many Thais, were involved in a whopping 84% of all accidents. Pickup trucks and sedan cars were each implicated in a modest 5%.
Main roads, the lifelines connecting Thailand’s sprawling landscapes, were the scene of almost half of the accidents, with the notorious time slot between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. emerging as the peak accident period. As roads filled with revelers eager to make the most of the holiday cheer, the darker side of festivity surfaced with increased incidents of drunk driving.
According to statistics from the Probation Department, there were more drunk driving cases this year compared to the same day last year. On Friday, courts charged and placed 276 drivers on probation for driving under the influence of alcohol — a minor rise from last year’s figure of 258 during the same safety campaign period.
The numbers paint a harrowing picture: a staggering 85% of all arrests were alcohol-related, a sobering reminder of the dangers that lurk behind the wheel. Drugs also played a sinister role, with 47 cases of driving under the influence of narcotics, while careless driving accounted for three cases.
Nonthaburi topped the charts with 40 cases of drunk driving, followed closely by Samut Prakan with 35, and Kamphaeng Phet with 27, as per the department under the watch of the Ministry of Justice.
Songkran, an exuberant celebration officially marking April 13 to 15 annually, often spills over into a five-day revelry thanks to substitution days. This year is no exception, with the festivities extending through to Wednesday. However, as joyous as the New Year celebrations are, they also serve as a reminder of the necessity for road safety awareness. The government diligently records accident statistics over a seven-day travel period to encompass the days leading up to and following the holiday, underscoring the importance of vigilance during this vibrant yet challenging time.
It’s so sad that such a joyful celebration has to be marred with accidents and fatalities. People should be more cautious, especially during such well-known dangerous periods.
While I agree with being cautious, it’s easier said than done. The roads are stuffed and everyone wants to get where they’re going fast!
That’s true, but maybe stricter enforcement of speed limits could help? It’s frustrating how speed is still such a big factor.
Education on road safety needs to start young. When people understand the risks early, maybe they’d think twice.
Come on, Songkran is supposed to be fun! Who cares about the stats when you’re in the moment? Just let people enjoy!
Education is essential, but so is enforcement. How else do you drive home the importance of staying sober behind the wheel?
Exactly, Mike. And maybe communities could offer events with alternatives to drinking, like local celebrations without the booze.
Or just bring back old-school games and water splashing that doesn’t involve driving at all!
27 deaths are too many, no matter the occasion. How is this acceptable?
It’s not acceptable at all, but look at it in context. The numbers did decrease from last year, which shows some improvement.
True, but it’s still tragic. More proactive measures are necessary.
Has anyone considered bike lanes? Motorcycles seem to be the main culprits.
I’ve been in Thailand during Songkran, and the whole experience is surreal, but people need to understand the risks on the roads.
Agreed! The parties are wild, but seeing so many accidents was a real eye-opener. Travel insurance is a must.
Experiencing Songkran should be about joy, not disaster. Maybe more public transport around this time could help?
Ultimately, these accidents highlight a systemic issue with Thailand’s road infrastructure. Better planning and design could save lives.
Isn’t it ironic that the festival meant for renewal and peace often ends up in chaos and loss?
The irony is palpable. Such tragedies need to spur real change not just conversations.
Maybe that’s why it’s crucial to celebrate responsibly. The spirit of Songkran is about starting over, fresh and safe.
Drinking and driving is irresponsible anytime, but especially during a time of celebration when lives are supposed to be cherished.
People need an adrenaline rush sometimes. As long as they’re cautious, what’s the harm?
Adrenaline is fine on a racetrack, but public roads during a busy holiday period? That’s just reckless, man.
Until cultural and society norms change and pressure people to act more responsibly, we might not see a shift as quickly as we’d like.
Cultural changes take time and usually involve persistent education combined with accountability.