As the Songkran Festival 2025 approaches, international road safety experts are calling on the Thai government to strengthen its anti-drunk driving campaigns and improve road safety measures to reduce fatalities during the festival.
At the Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in Paris, Kelly Larson, Injury Prevention Lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies, emphasized the urgent need for more effective campaigns to tackle drunk driving and speeding — two of the leading causes of road accidents during Songkran.
“We worked with the Thai government from 2015 to 2019 to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving during Songkran,” Larson said. “I hope to see more consistent campaigns and strict enforcement this year to save lives.”
The Partnership for Healthy Cities, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Vital Strategies, focuses on reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries in 74 cities worldwide.
Larson stressed that media involvement and continuous government advocacy are critical to the success of any road safety campaign. She also urged the Royal Thai Police to enforce traffic laws strictly throughout the festival.
“It takes a steady effort from the government to ensure road safety policies are truly enforced during Songkran,” Larson added.
Data-Driven Approach Needed
Ariella Rojhani, Director of the Partnership for Healthy Cities at Vital Strategies, highlighted the importance of using accurate data on accidents and fatalities to guide interventions. She pointed to Argentina’s successful efforts in reducing drunk driving during New Year’s celebrations as a model Thailand could follow.
“We hope to see fewer road deaths during Songkran this year,” Rojhani said, stressing the need for collaboration between government, enforcement, and the media.
Songkran Road Safety Concerns
Thailand’s Songkran festival runs from April 13 to 15 but often extends as people travel home to celebrate with their families. The government monitors accidents during the so-called “seven dangerous days”, when road risks are highest.
In 2024, despite government campaigns, Songkran recorded 287 deaths and 2,060 injuries from 2,044 traffic accidents between April 11 and 17. Chiang Rai saw the highest number of accidents (82), while Phrae province recorded the most injuries (80).
Authorities hope renewed efforts this year will reduce these figures and make Songkran 2025 safer for everyone on the roads.
For updates on Songkran events and safety information, visit Songkran in Bangkok.