The Road Safety Center announced the summary statistics of road accidents during the “7 Dangerous Days” period of the 2026 New Year festival, reporting a total of 1,364 accidents with fatalities rising sharply to 241.
On 5 Jan 2026 at 10:15 AM, at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the Road Safety Operation Center (RSOC), Mr. Sarawut Wongsakulwiwat, Deputy Director-General of DDPM and Assistant Secretary of the RSOC for the 2026 New Year festival, and chairman of the press conference on the RSOC’s operations, revealed that as of 5 January 2026, the 6th day of the “Drive Safely, Reduce Speed, Reduce Accidents” campaign, there were 175 accidents causing 174 injuries and 27 deaths.
The leading causes of accidents were speeding at 32.57% and abrupt cutting in front at 30.86%. Motorcycles accounted for the highest proportion of accidents at 68.58%, mostly on straight routes (84.57%). Road types involved included highways (49.14%) and local roads in subdistricts/villages (22.29%). The peak accident time was between 09:01 and 12:00, representing 17.71%. The highest injury and death rates were among 20-29 year olds at 18.91%. Narathiwat had the most accidents (12), the highest injuries (12), and Phetchabun had the highest deaths (3).
The cumulative road accident summary over six days (30 Dec 2025 - 4 Jan 2026) recorded a total of 1,364 accidents, 1,313 injuries, and 241 deaths. Phuket province had the highest cumulative number of accidents (50) and injuries (53), while Bangkok had the highest cumulative deaths (20). Seven provinces reported zero fatalities.
On 5 Jan 2026, the Department of Rural Roads reported accident statistics for rural highways during the 2026 New Year festival from 30 Dec 2025 to 5 Jan 2026. As of 4 Jan, there were 143 accidents, 148 injuries, and 25 deaths. Preliminary causes included speeding (58 cases, 40.56%), drunk driving (32 cases, 22.32%), and abrupt cutting in front at close distance (14 cases, 9.79%). Motorcycles were involved in the majority of accidents (134 vehicles, 71.66%).
Deputy Director-General Sarawut added that on 5 Jan 2026, most people were returning to Bangkok and major provinces, while some continued their New Year holidays and planned to return today.
The RSOC has instructed all provinces and agencies to continue rigorous road accident prevention and reduction efforts by monitoring, enforcing traffic laws, and facilitating travel through service points, checkpoints, and rest areas. This aims to deter risky driving behaviors, especially speeding and drowsiness, given drivers may be fatigued or driving long hours, increasing the risk of serious accidents. They also manage safety and traffic flow on main, secondary, shortcut, bypass, and connecting roads leading to Bangkok to ease congestion since today is a normal workday.
They have also coordinated with relevant agencies to check the readiness of bus drivers, public transport, and freight drivers, along with vehicle conditions and safety systems before trips to ensure the safety of passengers and tourists using public transport. Assistance is provided for those still at bus terminals, airports, piers, and train stations to facilitate safe travel home. Additionally, a 24-hour weather forecast indicates that Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram provinces, and Bangkok should monitor high tide impacts which may cause flooding in vulnerable areas. Citizens are advised to avoid these routes or exercise caution when passing through.
Finally, the public who experience or witness accidents can report incidents via the 24-hour hotline 1784 or through the Line app by adding the Line ID @1784DDPM to promptly coordinate emergency assistance.