A total of 277 people were killed and 2,357 injured in more than 2,300 road accidents during the Songkran holiday this year, according to official data.
The figures for both accidents and deaths were down nearly 30% from the levels seen in 2019, reflecting reduced travel this year because of concerns about the new wave of Covid-19 infections. There was no Songkran travel last year because the country was in a lockdown.
On Friday, the last day of the seven-day road safety campaign when traffic laws were strictly enforced, 26 people died and 255 were injured in 253 accidents. (see chart)
Ubon Ratchathani saw the most fatalities (3), followed by Chanthaburi (2) and Phetchabun (2).
Over the seven days, Nakhon Si Thammarat saw the most accidents (106), followed by Chiang Mai (77) and Songkhla (69).
Pathum Thani reported the highest number of fatalities at 10, followed by Bangkok (9) and Chiang Mai (9).
Drink-driving caused 36.6% of all accidents, followed by speeding (28.3%) and cutting off others (17.8%).
Motorcycles were involved in 79.2% of the accidents, followed by pickup trucks (6.9%).
The types of roads where most of the accidents occurred were highways (39.5%), followed by tambon or village roads (36%).
The largest proportion of accidents took place between 4pm and 8pm (29%) and from 12 noon to 4pm (21.1%).
The largest proportion of victims were those aged 15-19 (15.3%), followed by those aged 30-39 (14.4%).
Authorities stopped 2.4 million vehicles during the period, mainly motorcycles (2.3 million).
Almost half a million motorists, or 459,644, faced charges ranging from failing to wear helmets, not having driver’s licences and failing to fasten seat belts.
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