Thailand’s joyous Songkran celebrations have once again been overshadowed by tragedy, with 200 people killed and 1,362 injured in road accidents during the first six days of the holiday period (April 11-16). The grim figures, released Thursday by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, reveal a nation still grappling with its annual road safety crisis despite showing some improvement from previous years.

171 deaths during Songkran holidays due to speeding and drunk driving

Bangkok proved the deadliest province with 16 fatalities, while southern Phatthalung recorded the most crashes (52) and northeastern Lampang saw the highest injury count (56). The majority of accidents followed familiar patterns – speed demons racing through streets accounted for 44% of crashes, while drunk drivers caused another 25%. Motorcycles were involved in nearly 80% of incidents.

While the 200 deaths mark an 18% decrease from 2023’s 243 fatalities during the same period, the numbers remain horrifying. Transport officials attribute the slight improvement to increased use of public transport, with interprovincial bus travel up 7% and train/plane passengers surging 30%.

Traffic accidents killed 200 people during six days in the Songkran festival holiday period from April 11 to 16, with Bangkok recording the highest number of road fatalities.

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As the “Seven Days of Danger” campaign enters its final day, authorities brace for the traditional return-to-work exodus on Thursday – historically the most lethal travel day. Emergency services remain on high alert, but for 200 families across Thailand, this Songkran will forever be remembered for empty chairs at family gatherings rather than water fights and celebrations.

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The annual death toll serves as a sobering reminder that Thailand’s roads remain among the world’s most dangerous, even as the country welcomes millions of tourists to its famed New Year festivities. With the holiday ending tomorrow, officials can only hope the final numbers don’t climb higher still.

-Thailand News (TN)