At least 191 people were killed in road accidents in Thailand during the first three days of the country’s annual Songkran festival, widely known as the “world’s biggest battle for water”, marking a bleak start to this year’s celebrations.According to the New York Post, the Thai New Year festival, which typically features weeklong water festivities symbolizing renewal, has been overshadowed by an increase in road accidents, injuries and deaths. Official data shows that 951 accidents and 911 injuries were reported during this period.Despite the government’s efforts, including road safety campaigns, stricter enforcement of drink-driving laws and increased police checkpoints, the death toll remained high.
Authorities said 51 people died on the first day of celebrations alone.Speeding emerged as the main cause of death, accounting for less than 42% of cases, followed by driving under the influence of alcohol at 27.4%. Officials also cited risky behaviors such as not wearing helmets as a major contributor.The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation noted that “the largest number of accidents occurred between 3:01 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.”
Songkran leads to widespread travel throughout Thailand, with millions leaving major cities such as Bangkok to return to their hometowns, increasing road congestion and the risk of accidents. The festival period is often referred to as the “Seven Dangerous Days” due to the significant rise in the number of road accident victims.The festival, which is expected to attract about 500,000 international visitors and generate 30.4 billion baht in revenue, has seen law enforcement action, with seven French tourists arrested for allegedly causing a public nuisance by obstructing traffic during the festivities.Data from the Road Accident Victim Protection Corporation shows that Thailand records an average of 38 road deaths per day throughout the year, indicating a sharp rise during Songkran.According to the World Health Organization, Thailand is among the countries with the highest risk of road accidents among member states.