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As Thailand gets ready to celebrate Songkran, the traditional Buddhist New Year from April 13 to 15, preparations are in full swing. Streets are filled with colourful decorations, water guns are bought, and emergency services are getting ready.
But behind the joyful atmosphere of the country’s biggest holiday, a stark reality looms in the dark. Authorities are bracing for what Thai media refer as “the Seven Dangerous Days”, a week sadly known for its high number of road accidents. Each year, despite intensified safety campaigns and preventive efforts, Songkran remains one of the deadliest periods on Thailand’s roads.
While Songkran is celebrated as a time of spiritual renewal and nationwide water fights, it also marks one of the most dangerous periods on Thailand’s roads. The holiday kicks off a mass migration, as millions of Thais journey back to their home provinces, flooding roads with heavy traffic. This increase, combined with risky driving behaviors, particularly among motorcyclists, significantly heightens the likelihood of road accidents. In 2023 alone, more than 8 million trips were recorded across the country during the Songkran holiday.
The dangers are further amplified by a surge in alcohol consumption, which often rises well above normal levels during the festivities and, in some regions, is met with a large cultural tolerance.
The grim statistics speak for themselves. According to Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob, between April 11 and 16, 2024, a total of 1,811 road accidents were recorded nationwide, resulting in 243 fatalities and 1,837 injuries. The previous year saw 236 deaths and 2,005 injuries during the same week, while 2021 counted 277 lives lost across 2,365 crashes. Every year, Songkran consistently becomes a period of heightened risk on Thai roads.
Each year, road accidents claim nearly 20,000 lives and leave more than a million people injured across Thailand. According to data from the World Health Organization, the country ranks among the most dangerous in Asia for road users — second only to Nepal. While Songkran alone does not account for the full annual toll, the festival’s nationwide interest and festive atmosphere make it a critical period, more likely to lead to accidents compared to other major holidays.
In 2024, motorcycles were involved in 84.9% of all reported accidents during Songkran, an increase from 79% the year before. The main causes remain largely unchanged : speeding (37.6%), drunk driving (23.9%), and illegal lane changes (21%). Certain provinces stand out for their alarming numbers : Chiang Rai recorded 71 accidents and 15 fatalities within just a few days, while Chiang Mai and Bangkok also reported consistently high death rates.
Ruangsak Suwaree, Director-General of the Department of Probation, reported that between April 11 and 16, a total of 5,786 traffic violations were recorded, with an overwhelming 96.6% involving drunk driving. Bangkok topped the list with 493 cases, followed by Samut Prakan (313) and Chiang Mai (302).
To address this annual crisis, Thai authorities have implemented a comprehensive prevention strategy combining public awareness campaigns, surveillance technologies, and cross-ministerial coordination.
Each year, the government deploys nearly 80,000 police officers nationwide to conduct alcohol checks, monitor major highways, and crack down on speeding violations. Alcohol-free zones have been established in several cities, while targeted initiatives like the “Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign focus especially on motorcyclists, which compose the most vulnerable group on the roads.
In addition, Bangkok’s Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon announced that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to install at least 17,000 new surveillance cameras along the city’s main roads, integrating them into the existing network. The expanded system will include AI-powered video analysis designed to detect dangerous driving behavior in real time, with a particular focus on tourist hotspots like Khao San Road.
Meanwhile, the Ministries of Transport, Health, and Interior are coordinating efforts to inspect vehicles, anticipate hospital capacity needs, and secure areas in an attempt to mitigate the rising human toll.
The dangers of Songkran extend far beyond traffic accidents. Each year, the nationwide water fights bring their own wave of injuries, from slips on wet pavements and eye trauma caused by high-pressure water jets, to cases of dehydration driven by heat. The use of untreated water, often drawn from ponds or canals, further exposes people engaging in water fights to eye infections and waterborne diseases.
In the most crowded areas, more serious incidents are reported on a recurring basis, including assaults — sometimes sexual — targeting tourists and young women. Authorities often urge caution, particularly during nighttime celebrations, when risks tend to escalate.
Despite the measures in place, risky behavior, failure to wear helmets, and alcohol consumption continue to weigh heavily on Songkran’s human toll.
Each year, Thailand’s New Year festival becomes a real test for public authorities, caught between the desire to preserve an important cultural tradition and the pressing need to maintain public safety. In 2025, these efforts continue to be substantial : but how many more years will it take before the festivities can be enjoyed without being overshadowed by tragedy?
© 2024 Siam News Network
