On the 5th day of the 7 Dangerous Days campaign, there were 1,185 accidents with a total of 207 deaths. The main causes were speeding and abrupt cutting in front of other vehicles. Drivers are warned to use roads carefully.
Today (4 Jan 2026) at 10:15 a.m. at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). Mr. Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health, presided over a press conference summarizing the operations of the Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Command Center for the New Year Festival 2026. He revealed that the center, coordinated by the DDPM and partner networks, compiled road accident statistics for 4 January 2026, the 5th day of the “Drive Safely, Reduce Speed, Reduce Accidents” campaign.
There were 191 accidents, 188 injured, and 27 deaths. The leading causes of accidents were speeding at 33.51% and abrupt cutting in at 22.51%. Motorcycles accounted for 72.62% of accidents, mostly on straight roads at 84.82%. Highways accounted for 40.84% and local village roads 31.41%. Peak accident times were 09:01–12:00, 12:01–15:00, and 18:01–21:00, totaling 16.75%. The highest injury and death rates were among ages 20–29 at 16.28%. Lampang province had the highest accident count (10), highest injuries (10), while Bangkok had the highest deaths (3).
Cumulatively over 5 days (30 Dec 2025 – 3 Jan 2026), there were 1,185 accidents, 1,141 injured, and 207 deaths. Phuket had the highest cumulative accidents (47), Phuket also had the highest injuries (51), and Bangkok had the highest deaths (18). Nine provinces reported zero deaths.
Mr. Pattana added that today (4 Jan 2026) many people are returning to Bangkok and other economic provinces, increasing traffic volume on main and connecting routes. The Command Center has urged provinces, districts, local governments, and related agencies to set up checkpoints, inspection points, and service stations to support travelers and manage traffic flow to avoid congestion.
They also emphasized strict law enforcement by related agencies, applying the “10 key measures” against risky driver behaviors rigorously and continuously, including speeding, drunk driving, not wearing helmets, not using seat belts, and driving while drowsy. They also facilitate public safety, monitor passengers and tourists at transport terminals, ensure public transport safety, and check vehicles and drivers, especially those in continuous use, at Check Points. Adequate public transport is provided to prevent stranded passengers, and safety is maintained at terminals, with private hire vehicles ready to transport passengers safely.
The Ministry of Public Health has prepared emergency medical services for the New Year festival. The National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM) operates 10,723 medical units nationwide, using the National Digital Emergency Medical Services (NDEMS) system for the first time this festival. This system enhances emergency calls through hotline 1669 by locating incidents and connecting via video call to provide first aid guidance before responders arrive, speeding up patient information delivery, reducing rescue time, and improving survival chances.
As of 3 January 2026, over 8,500 emergency calls related to traffic accidents were received via hotline 1669. Law enforcement under the Alcohol Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 and related laws during the New Year festival 2026 (data as of 3 Jan 2026) recorded 25,070 inspections, with 1,543 violations and 170 offending shops or individuals.
Community and checkpoint alcohol intoxication assessments covered 394,566 individuals, with 11,917 (3.02%) intoxicated. The Ministry continues to deploy medical teams to assist patients promptly 24/7, monitor alcohol sales to under-20s, and strictly enforce alcohol control laws to reduce accidents caused by drunk driving and ensure safe travel during the New Year.
Mr. Theerapat Kachamat, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and Secretary of the Road Safety Command Center for the New Year Festival 2026, stated that today many people continue returning to Bangkok and other areas. The Command Center has instructed relevant agencies to crack down on risky behaviors like speeding and close cutting on main routes, as these cause many accidents. Agencies are also asked to continuously inform the public about traffic conditions, alternative routes, and safety warnings via all channels. Emergency rescue and assistance systems are prepared at accident sites. The public is urged to prepare their vehicles, obey traffic laws, show courtesy on the road, and constantly assess their driving readiness.
If feeling drowsy, tired, or fatigued while traveling, drivers are advised to rest at designated rest areas or service points provided by authorities and not to force driving as this may cause accidents and loss. Additionally, weather forecasts for the next 24 hours indicate scattered thunderstorms in the lower South and rising sea levels in the Central region, raising river levels that may flood road surfaces on Rama 2 Road inbound to Bangkok. Relevant agencies are urged to inform the public to exercise caution when traveling through these areas.
Finally, the public who experience or witness accidents can report incidents anytime via hotline 1784 or the DDPM Line account “ปภ.รับแจ้งเหตุ1784” by adding Line ID @1784DDPM for prompt assistance.