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242 die after seven days of Songkran in Thailand

Sandy Verma | April 18, 2026 3:24 PM CST

Overall data from this year’s Songkran period indicated a clear improvement compared to the three-year average, according to Thiraphat Khatchamart, director-general of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and head of the Road Safety Directing Center, as quoted by Bangkok Post.

Revelers play with water as they celebrate the Songkran holiday, which marks the Thai New Year, in Bangkok, Thailand, April 12, 2026. Photo by Reuters

Speeding was the leading cause of accidents, accounting for 40.65%, followed by cutting-in at close range at 25.20%.

The Songkran 2026 festivities officially kicked off on Monday, though crowds had already begun pouring into popular destinations, with many locals heading home from as early as April 10.

Traditionally spanning nearly a week, the water-splashing festival attracts visitors from around the globe.

Despite its appeal, authorities labeled the period the “seven dangerous days” about a decade ago to underscore heightened road safety risks during the celebrations.

In 2025, road accidents during Songkran resulted in 253 fatalities.