The 7 dangerous days in Thailand begin

Every year, the Songkran festival causes a lot of traffic on Thailand's roads and sees an increase in the number of accidents.

This period is called the "seven dangerous days", it begins this Friday, April 12 and will end on April 17.

For many Thais who work far from their hometowns, Songkran, the Thai New Year , is the main occasion of the year to visit loved ones, which means that during this period the roads are congested and the number of traffic accidents skyrockets.

You should be especially careful if you are driving a vehicle in Thailand during this time, there is a lot of drunk driving and if you are on a motorbike you will probably get sprayed.

Songkran in Phuket. Photo: Phuket@photographer.net

See: Dos and Don'ts of Songkran, the Thai New Year

The police will also set up numerous checkpoints to check papers, helmet use and carry out alcohol tests.

Lieutenant General Kornchai Klayklueng, deputy national police chief, said the Royal Thai Police had set a target of reducing road accidents by 5 percent during this year's seven dangerous days.

Police expect the number of people on the roads to increase by 3.1 percent compared to last year's holiday period.

The largest number of people traveling during the holidays is expected this Friday and Saturday for those leaving Bangkok and on April 16 and 17 for those returning.

Kornchai said police had opened an accident control operations center for this year's Songkran to strengthen law enforcement and safety measures for motorists.

Due to delays caused by traffic jams, he also advised people using electric vehicles to find a charging station before their battery is almost completely depleted.

The traffic police have compiled routes to electric vehicle charging stations to make it easier for those using EVs, he said.

Road accident during Songkran 2023 in Nakhon Ratchasima. Photo: Prasit Tangprasert

Nikorn Jamnong, head of the Chartthaipattana party and chairman of the People's Safety Foundation, expressed concern about the increase in the number of accidents before and after the "seven dangerous days" period.

Mr Nikorn said 60 deaths were reported on Wednesday, compared to 30 during the same period last year.

Of these, 50 were reported as motorcyclist deaths, four of whom were expatriates.

With 4,207 road deaths reported in the first quarter of this year, Mr Nikorn said authorities needed to look beyond the Songkran holiday dates when addressing road safety.

Prommin Kantiya, director of the Accident Prevention Network at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, expressed similar concerns.

Prommin said some people extended their vacations by taking time off until April 21, leading to an increase in the period of heavy road use in the country.

See also:

Thailand is ready for its New Year, Songkran

Confused tourists: Thailand seeks to dispel water fight rumors

Thailand's 6-day Songkran 2023 celebrations: 236 dead, 2,005 injured

Source: Bangkok Post