Photo credit: AP
At least 191 people were killed in road accidents in Thailand in the first three days of the country’s annual Songkran festival, widely known as the “world’s largest water fight”, marking a grim start to the celebrations this year.According to the New York Post, the Thai New Year festival, typically marked by week-long water festivities symbolising renewal has been overshadowed by a surge in road mishaps, injuries and fatalities. Official data shows that 951 accidents and 911 injuries were reported during this period.Despite government efforts, including road safety campaigns, stricter enforcement of drunk driving laws and increased police checkpoints, the death toll has remained high. Authorities said 51 people died on the first day of celebrations alone.Speeding emerged as the leading cause of fatalities, accounting for just under 42 per cent of cases, followed by drunk driving at 27.4 per cent. Officials also flagged risky behaviour such as not wearing helmets as a major contributor.The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation noted that “The highest number of accidents occurred between 3.01pm and 6.00pm.” Songkran triggers large-scale travel across Thailand, with millions leaving major cities such as Bangkok to return to their hometowns, adding to road congestion and accident risks. The festival period is often referred to as the “seven dangerous days” due to the spike in road casualties.The festival, which is expected to draw around 500,000 international visitors and generate 30.4 billion baht in revenue, also saw law enforcement action, with seven French tourists arrested for allegedly causing a public nuisance by blocking traffic during celebrations.Data from the Road Accident Victims Protection Company shows that Thailand records an average of 38 road deaths per day through the year, indicating a sharp rise during Songkran.According to the World Health Organization, Thailand ranks among the most dangerous countries for road crashes among member nations.
