Anutin launched the Safety Operations Center for the 7 Dangerous Days during the Songkran Festival, emphasizing "Don't drink and drive." He encouraged carpooling to help prevent accidents and save energy, urging all parties under the Prime Minister's leadership to reduce the number of casualties during this period.
At 10:15 a.m. on 10 April 2026 at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, chaired a press conference to announce policies and open the Command Center for Road Accident Prevention and Reduction during the 2026 Songkran Festival. The event was attended by Patthana Prompattana, Minister of Public Health; Jeset Thaiset, Deputy Minister of Interior; permanent secretaries of the Interior and Public Health Ministries; and security agencies.
Anutin said this meeting aimed to assist the public during Thailand's annual festival. This year is significant as all network partners, including government, private sector, and volunteer groups, have integrated efforts to promote road safety. The Songkran holiday involves several consecutive days off, with many people traveling by vehicle to return home or tour nationwide. With this large travel volume, it is everyone's responsibility, especially government agencies, to provide maximum convenience for citizens so they can enjoy the festival, which is also a time to honor family and the elderly. Our ongoing goal is to reduce road accidents, fatalities, and injuries. We particularly campaign against the two main causes of accidents: alcohol consumption and insufficient rest. We must continue this campaign to ensure the 10–16 April Songkran period—the 7 dangerous days—is safer for all road users by promoting "don't drink and drive," respect for traffic laws, adherence to speed limits, and mandatory helmet use for motorcyclists. We also aim to reduce risk points in communities and instill safety awareness among citizens. We have strong support from government enterprises, private sector, and volunteers, using every possible means to minimize road accidents during this festival.
All government agencies are requested to prioritize service to the public, especially given unusual circumstances such as fuel price issues and travel by fuel-powered vehicles. We encourage establishing a new culture, such as carpooling among acquaintances, family, and friends, which is a positive value that promotes mutual care. Regarding fuel quantity, we assure everyone that although prices may be uncontrollable, supplies remain adequate to serve citizens' travel needs. The government manages fuel to ensure sufficient availability during Songkran. We ask the public to avoid panic buying or hoarding fuel unnecessarily by carrying extra containers out of concern. The government guarantees enough fuel during Songkran. If citizens use fuel wisely and acknowledge global energy challenges, we can enhance national confidence in domestic fuel supplies. Please use fuel prudently and responsibly.
Anutin added that public transportation services have been emphasized through the Minister of Transport to ensure full readiness to serve the public, especially as more people may use public transit due to fuel prices. It's essential to gather the most updated information. If citizens cooperate by carpooling and using public transport more, accident frequency can decrease accordingly. We will oversee specific points and monitor secondary roads. Governors are urged to manage this similarly to previous fuel management efforts. Effective control by all units will lead to organizational success. Cooperation from provincial governors is requested.
Anutin stated that the government fully supports this mission and asked all involved to uphold the Prime Minister's expectations by reducing accident numbers as much as possible. While strictly enforcing laws where necessary, authorities should also facilitate public convenience to the greatest extent.
Anutin further remarked that the tradition of water splashing is unavoidable, but it can cause inconvenience and traffic disruptions. He urged provincial governors and police to manage routes carefully, avoiding complete closures. Last year, he experienced a 3-4 hour traffic jam in Ayutthaya but acknowledged that citizens were enjoying themselves. However, traffic flow must be managed to maintain accessible routes. If people want to have fun using diesel pickup trucks that consume less fuel and drive slowly within local areas, authorities should not obstruct their enjoyment. These people are not traveling from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai for Songkran; they are celebrating locally. The focus should be on preventing intoxication, reckless behavior, enforcing helmet use, and stopping fights. These are responsibilities the committee must oversee and control.