A meeting of the Phuket Road Safety Center Committee was held at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Apr 2), chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong along with Wichit Sutthaso, the new Chief of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket, and other relevant officials.
The meeting focused on strategies to prevent and reduce road accidents during the Songkran Festival 2025, a time when travel activity is at its peak.
Officials reviewed data on road safety, including accident and fatality statistics, law enforcement efforts on key traffic violations and the regulation of rental vehicles, which are seen as a major risk factor for road accidents, said an official report of the meeting.
Reports from the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) and the Phuket Provincial Police provided insights into past accident trends and outlined urgent measures needed for the upcoming holiday, the report added.
Of note, the PPHO reported that more than 72% of accidents in Phuket involved alcohol, and the 80% of those injured on motorbikes were not wearing helmets.
The committee also examined lessons learned from the 2025 New Year holidays to improve safety measures for Songkran. Discussions centered on sharing best practices with relevant agencies and educating children and youth about road safety. Additionally, the meeting emphasised the importance of collaboration between government and private sectors in reducing accidents.
A key highlight of the meeting was the launch of the Phuket Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Operation Center, which will operate under the theme ‘Driving Safely, Thailand Without Accidents’.
The annual intensive ‘Seven Days’ campaign will run from Apr 11-17, coinciding with the period of highest travel volume, the report confirmed.
Officials outlined a plan to set up main checkpoints, community checkpoints and ‘public service points’ across the island to enhance safety and enforce traffic laws more strictly.
To minimise road accidents during the period, the committee identified five priority areas for action:
- Effective road safety management – Strengthening coordination among agencies.
- Road infrastructure improvements – Ensuring roads are in safe condition.
- Vehicle and driver supervision – Strictly monitoring public transport and rental vehicles.
- Public awareness campaigns – Promoting a culture of responsible driving.
- Emergency preparedness – Enhancing accident response and medical assistance.
Officials also addressed other pressing concerns, including the acceleration of road construction projects to minimize disruption during Songkran.
In cases where work cannot be completed in time, temporary safety measures will be put in place.
Transport operators have been urged to limit the use of large trucks during the seven-day period to reduce congestion and accident risks.
Additionally, authorities will closely monitor public buses and their drivers, while urging private vehicle owners to conduct thorough vehicle checks before traveling, the report concluded.