The first three days of Thailand’s Songkran festival, a time of celebration and family reunions, have been marred by a tragic toll on the nation’s roads. According to the Road Safety Centre, 756 accidents have resulted in 100 deaths and 752 injuries between April 11 and April 13, 2025. As the country marks the traditional Thai New Year with water fights and cultural festivities, the annual surge in road casualties—often referred to as the “seven dangerous days”—has once again cast a shadow over the holiday.
A Deadly Start to the Festival
The Songkran holiday, which officially spans April 13 to 15 but extends for many due to travel, prompts millions of Thais to return to their hometowns. This mass migration, combined with festive revelry, creates a perfect storm for road accidents. The Road Safety Centre, which began monitoring incidents on April 11 as travel peaked, reported that Sunday, April 13, alone saw 296 accidents, claiming 39 lives and injuring 296 others. Speeding and drink driving were identified as the leading causes, reflecting a persistent challenge in curbing dangerous behavior during the holiday. 
At a press conference on Monday, April 14, Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Kraiboon Suadsong highlighted an additional concern: drowsiness induced by certain medications. “Aside from drink driving, we’ve seen many accidents caused by drivers who are drowsy after taking medication” he said. He urged provincial administrations to launch public awareness campaigns, warning against driving under the influence of such substances.
The Annual Challenge of the ‘Seven Dangerous Days’
Thailand’s Songkran period is infamous for its spike in road accidents, earning the label of the “seven dangerous days” among authorities and media. The combination of long-distance travel, alcohol consumption during celebrations, and often lax enforcement of traffic rules creates a deadly mix. Despite years of campaigns promoting road safety, the statistics remain grim. The Road Safety Centre’s monitoring, which will continue until April 17, aims to raise awareness and reduce casualties, but the early figures suggest that much work remains.
Road safety advocates have long pointed to systemic issues, including inadequate public transport options that force many to rely on personal vehicles or motorbikes, often on poorly maintained rural roads. In urban centers like Bangkok, traffic congestion during the holiday exacerbates risks, while in rural areas, a lack of emergency services can mean the difference between life and death for accident victims.
Human Stories Behind the Numbers
Beyond the stark statistics are the personal tragedies affecting families across Thailand. Each of the 100 lives lost represents a story cut short—a parent not returning home, a sibling lost during what should have been a joyful reunion. In past years, local media have highlighted cases of entire families wiped out in single collisions, often due to preventable causes like speeding or intoxication. While specific details of this year’s victims are yet to emerge, the pattern of loss during Songkran remains a heartbreaking constant.
Community leaders and safety campaigners are calling for stronger measures, from stricter enforcement of drink-driving laws to better education on the risks of drowsy driving. Some have suggested harsher penalties, while others advocate for improved infrastructure, such as more rest stops for long-distance travelers to combat fatigue.
Looking Ahead: Can Thailand Break the Cycle?
As the Songkran holiday continues, authorities are bracing for more accidents in the remaining days of the monitoring period. Pol Gen Kraiboon’s call for public awareness campaigns is a step in the right direction, but many question whether short-term measures can address a deeply ingrained issue. The Road Safety Centre’s data will be crucial in assessing the full impact of this year’s “seven dangerous days” and shaping future policies.
For now, the focus remains on saving lives. Drivers are being urged to prioritize safety over haste, to avoid alcohol before getting behind the wheel, and to be mindful of medications that impair alertness. As Thailand celebrates the renewal and cleansing symbolized by Songkran’s water rituals, the nation also faces a somber reminder of the need to protect its people on the roads.
