BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s Road Safety Centre reported 191 deaths in 951 crashes during the first five days of the 2026 Songkran campaign and announced tougher checks on return traffic and drunk driving.
Mid-term balance of Songkran’s “7 dangerous days”
On 15 April 2569 (2026), the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) in Bangkok presented the latest data on road accidents during the Songkran holiday period. The figures covered the nationwide safety campaign around the Thai New Year, which was traditionally associated with heavy travel.
The statistics were released as part of the regular situation reports compiled by the Road Safety Centre. Officials highlighted that the data formed the mid-term balance of the so‑called “7 dangerous days” of Songkran 2026.
Daily and five-day figures show heavy toll
For the reported day, authorities recorded 192 road accidents, with 202 people injured and 30 fatalities. These daily numbers reflected only one day within the intensive holiday travel phase.
Over the first five days of the campaign, from 10 to 14 April 2569, a total of 951 accidents were counted. In the same period, 911 people were injured and 191 lost their lives.
Officials noted that the accident situation remained severe even as travel flows shifted from outbound journeys to return traffic. The figures underscored the continued risks on Thailand’s roads during the peak of the New Year festivities.
Speeding and alcohol identified as key causes
The most common cause of accidents was reported as excessive speed, accounting for 38.54 percent of cases. Drinking and driving followed as the second major factor, responsible for 28.13 percent of accidents.
Authorities therefore stressed measures to enforce speed limits and to crack down on drunk driving. They emphasised that traffic police and related agencies would apply these measures consistently across the country.
Motorcycles hit hardest, risk on straight rural roads
Most accidents involved motorcycles, which made up 72.88 percent of all cases. This reflected the dominant role of two‑wheelers in everyday transport across Thailand.
A large proportion of crashes occurred on straight sections of road, accounting for 77.08 percent of incidents. Many accidents happened on roads in tambon administrative areas and villages, which represented 30.73 percent of the total.
Peak accident hours and most affected age group
The period with the highest number of accidents was between 15:01 and 18:00, which made up 23.96 percent of all crashes. This late afternoon time window coincided with heavy traffic flows and ongoing holiday activities.
The age group most affected by injuries and deaths was those aged 20 to 29, accounting for 23.71 percent of victims. The figures showed that young adults were particularly exposed to the dangers on the roads during Songkran.
Phrae and Pathum Thani lead provincial statistics
The highest number of accidents was reported in Phrae province, with 16 cases. Phrae also recorded the most injuries, with 18 people hurt.
The most fatalities were registered in Pathum Thani, where three people died in traffic accidents. These provincial figures highlighted regional focal points within the nationwide accident situation.
Authorities tighten checks on return journeys
The Road Safety Centre ordered closer cooperation among all involved agencies to secure the wave of return travel. The focus was on reducing risks as people headed back after the New Year celebrations.
Key measures included stricter inspections of public transport vehicles and their drivers. Officials announced a “zero tolerance” approach to drinking and driving, including legal action and probation supervision for offenders.
“Zero tolerance for drinking and driving will be strictly enforced with legal measures and probation oversight.”
said officials at the Road Safety Centre.