BANGKOK, Thailand – The National Road Safety Center has tightened regulations during the peak of the Songkran holiday, with a particular focus on controlling alcohol sales and managing designated water-play zones to reduce accidents. At an April 13 briefing held at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, officials identified speeding and drunk driving as the two leading causes of road incidents. Provincial authorities have been ordered to increase enforcement, deploy additional personnel, and monitor high-risk areas more closely throughout the remainder of the festival period.
Alcohol sales to minors under 20 remain strictly prohibited, and any mobile alcohol sales or hawking in water-play areas or tourist zones will face legal action. Entertainment venues must operate within legally permitted hours. Patrol units and local checkpoints are targeting unsafe behaviors such as not wearing helmets or seat belts, riding in the back of pickup trucks, and reckless driving. Community-level oversight has also been encouraged to help detect and deter dangerous conduct before people leave home.
Provinces have been instructed to ensure emergency response systems are fully operational. Ambulances must have unimpeded access to accident scenes and be ready to transport injured individuals to hospitals without delay. Authorities are also urging drivers to check their vehicles, plan routes, and avoid throwing water at motorcyclists, which poses a serious risk of accidents. The public has been warned against playing in the middle of roads or riding unsafely in trucks.
Weather is another growing concern, with forecasts predicting thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and lightning in northern, northeastern, and central Thailand, including Bangkok. Residents are advised to stay indoors during storms and avoid open areas, unstable structures, and large trees. Organizers of outdoor events have been asked to remain alert and responsive to changing weather conditions.
On April 12 alone, 248 accidents were reported nationwide, resulting in 257 injuries and 30 deaths. Motorcycles were involved in nearly 86 percent of the incidents, with straight roads being the most common crash sites. The most affected age group was between 20 and 29 years old. In total, 460 accidents were recorded over the first two days of the Songkran road safety campaign, with 458 injuries and 59 fatalities. Bangkok recorded the most deaths, while Mukdahan saw the highest number of accidents and injuries. Forty-four provinces reported zero fatalities during the same period. (NNT)
