The final toll from Thailand’s Songkran holiday road safety campaign has reached a staggering 253 lives lost, with Friday’s figures capping off another deadly year for the country’s highways. The Road Safety Operation Centre’s end-of-festival report reveals 1,538 accidents and 1,495 injuries occurred between April 11-17, with the last day alone claiming 22 more victims in 147 crashes.

200 people killed in six-day Songkran holiday in Thailand

Bangkok retained its grim distinction as the deadliest province with 19 fatalities, while southern Phatthalung saw both the most accidents (63) and injuries (61). The data confirms Thailand’s roads remain among the world’s most dangerous during major holidays, despite a 12% decrease in deaths compared to 2023’s 288 fatalities, and 24.8% lower than last year.

During the Songkran holiday period from April 11 to 17, a staggering total of 253 individuals tragically lost their lives, and 1,495 others were injured in road accidents, as reported by the Road Safety Operation Centre. Notably, most of these fatalities involved motorcycles and… pic.twitter.com/oYxEGnRqzh

— Personal Thailand (@PersonalThai) April 18, 2025

Speed demons (44% of crashes) and drunk drivers (25%) continued their lethal dominance, with motorcycles involved in 78% of incidents. The most perilous travel window emerged as mid-afternoon to dusk (3:01-6:00 PM), when visibility issues combine with end-of-day fatigue and alcohol consumption.

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While officials noted marginal improvements in public transport usage, the numbers paint a sobering picture of a national crisis that annually transforms Thailand’s most vibrant celebration into a mourning period for hundreds of families. As cleanup crews remove the last water festival decorations, authorities face mounting pressure to implement stricter enforcement beyond these annual week-long safety campaigns.

-Thailand News (TN)