Ahead of the Songkran holiday, people are embarking on journeys to upcountry destinations, prompting concerns from road safety advocates regarding potential increases in road accidents outside the traditionally noted “seven dangerous days” of travel.
This year, the “seven dangerous days” span from today until April 17. Assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Kornchai Klayklueng stated that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have aimed to reduce road accidents by 5% during this period.
Anticipating a 3.1% rise in road travelers compared to last year, with peak numbers expected on Friday and Saturday for departures from Bangkok and on April 16-17 for return trips, Pol Lt Gen Kornchai emphasized the importance of heightened law enforcement and safety measures. The RTP has established an Accident Control Operation Centre specifically for this Songkran period.
In light of potential delays due to traffic congestion, Pol Lt Gen Kornchai advised electric vehicle users to locate charging stations before their batteries are nearly depleted. The Highway Police has compiled a list of routes with electric vehicle charging stations to aid EV users.
Expressing concern, Nikorn Jamnong, director of the Chartthaipattana Party and president of the People’s Safety Foundation, highlighted a worrying trend of increased accidents both before and after the “seven dangerous days” period. On Wednesday alone, 60 fatalities were reported, compared to 30 in the same timeframe last year, with motorcycles accounting for 50 of the deaths, including four expatriates.
With 4,207 road fatalities reported in the first quarter of this year, Nikorn stressed the importance of authorities addressing road safety beyond the confines of the Songkran holiday dates.
Echoing these concerns, Prommin Kantiya, director of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation’s Accident Prevention Network, noted that some individuals have extended their holidays until April 21, prolonging the period of heightened road usage in the country.
