The meeting, chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai, was held at the Phuket Provincial Hall with representatives from the Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket) and other relevant agencies in attendance.
The ‘Seven Days’ road and marine safety campaign began on Apr 11 and will conclude at midnight tonight.
So far Phuket officials have recognised a total of 38 road accidents during the six days from Apr 11–16, resulting in 39 injuries ‒ 21 men and 18 women.
Victims included both Thai and foreign nationals from countries such as Myanmar, Tunisia, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Australia No fatalities have been reported during this period, an official report of the meeting confirmed.
An analysis of the accidents found that the main contributing factor was speeding, followed by drink-driving. Officials also noted that not wearing a helmet remained the most common risky behaviour, with motorcycles involved in the majority of crashes.
RARE DETAILS
Officials recognised four accidents during the 24 hours of yesterday (Apr 16) that caused injuries to four people, including tourists and foreign residents.
According to official data presented at the meeting, the four individuals were injured in road accidents across two districts in Phuket. All victims were hospitalised, with no fatalities reported.
In Muang District, two incidents were recorded:
- Mr Samart Bunsongkram, a 39-year-old Thai male, was injured in an accident that occurred at 10:24am near the entrance of the Phuket Technical College. He was riding a motorcycle and collided with a car. The cause was identified as reckless driving. Mr Samart suffered injuries to his right chest, lungs and upper right limbs. He was transported to Dibuk Hospital.
- Mr Ahmed Alghamdi, a 27-year-old Saudi national, was involved in a collision at 12:52pm on the road in front of a hotel. He was riding a motorcycle and collided with a pickup truck. The accident was attributed to reckless driving. Mr Alghamdi sustained injuries including a right eye hematoma, face injuries and upper body abrasions. He was also taken to Dibuk Hospital.
In Kathu District, two additional cases were reported:
- Ms Denise Elgin, a 54-year-old woman from Australia, was injured at 12pm near the entrance to Soi Na Mueang. She was driving a motorbike on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd and was involved in a self-accident (no other vehicle involved). The cause was again noted as reckless driving. She sustained facial abrasions and a laceration on her right leg, and was taken to Patong Hospital.
- Ms Sandi, a 30-year-old woman from Myanmar, was injured in an accident at 3:50pm near the 20-kilometre mark on Phra Phuket Kaew Rd. She was a passenger on a motorcycle that collided with a car. Reckless driving was cited as the cause. She suffered head and face injuries and had her little finger severed in the accident. She was transported to Patong Hospital.
GOING HOME
Vice Governor Samawit stressed the importance of collaboration between local and national agencies, especially as many prepare for the post-holiday return trip.
“Public relations efforts must continue, especially in warning people against drinking before traveling. Drivers should also get enough rest and be especially careful on long, straight roads, which are prone to drowsiness-related accidents,” he said.
The province is also focusing on high-risk areas and has instructed district-level authorities to adapt their operations to ensure safe travel for both residents and tourists.
Of note, national road safety agency ThaiRSC recorded no deaths in Phuket road accidents yesterday, but marked 70 people injured.
The agency has reported no Phuket road deaths but already 22 people injured so far today (Apr 17).
Since the beginning of the year, 30 people have died and more than 9,500 have been injured in road accidents across Phuket, ThaiRSC data shows.
Officials repeated at the meeting today that a range of measures have been implemented during the Songkran period, including strict speed control, alcohol checks, helmet enforcement, public transport inspections and the promotion of rest breaks every two hours for long-distance drivers.
Emergency services have also been put on alert with the 1669 hotline promoted for quick response.
Local agencies have been ordered to coordinate on setting up service points, enforcing traffic laws, and ensuring traffic flows smoothly on main return routes as the holiday period winds down, the official report concluded.