Normally considered one of the most dangerous places to drive in the world, the death toll on Thailand’s roads during Songkran has decreased by more than 200 cases year-on-year because of the nationwide lockdown.
According to the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), the number of fatalities from road accidents during the period of April 10-16 has decreased from 386 cases in 2019, down to 167 cases in 2020. That represents a decrease of 56.74 per cent or by 219 lives.
The number of accidents has decreased from 3,338 cases in 2019 to 1,307 cases in 2020, representing a drop of 60.84 per cent or 2,031 cases.
Deputy Interior Minister Niphon Bunyamanee said even though the holiday period has been extended, the DDPM was still collecting information.
With alcohol being banned and a curfew in place, there were less cars on the street and less drunk people behind the wheels.
Drunk driving is the number one cause of death during the Songkran period.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
