The event, titled ‘Driving the Organisational Measures for Road Safety in Phuket Province’, was chaired by Sopon Thongsai, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket).
Representatives from multiple sectors, including Benchawan Udom, Head of Prevention and Operation at the Provincial Disaster Office, and road safety experts from various local institutions such as Phuket Rajabhat University and the Phuket Provincial Police, also took part.
Ms Benchawan highlighted the alarming rise in road fatalities, with 168 deaths in 2023 alone, and the numbers continuing to rise. As of June 2024, Phuket had already recorded 110 deaths, matching the target set for the entire year according to the Road Safety Master Plan 2021-2027.
The majority of victims were working-age individuals, aged 25-45, whose deaths have caused significant economic and social impacts on families and the wider community, Ms Benchawan said.
She emphasised the need for collective action and raised awareness of road safety among government personnel at all levels, urging them to set a positive example by following traffic laws, particularly by promoting helmet use. The project’s goal is to implement organisational road safety measures across Phuket to foster behavioural change and reduce road accident fatalities.
DDPM Phuket Chief Mr Sopon added that road accidents pose a major threat not only to individuals but also to the province’s economic development and reputation as a tourism destination.
He stressed the importance of instilling a culture of road safety and discipline in both residents and visitors, noting that organisational cooperation and adherence to safety measures are essential for achieving long-term success in reducing road accidents.