Seasonal and Regional Patterns of Road Traffic Injuries and Fatalities in Thailand: A Three-Year Provincial Study (2022–2024)

Abstract

Background: Thailand consistently ranks among the countries with the highest rates of road traffic fatalities worldwide, with peaks commonly observed during national festivals such as Songkran. However, limited research has examined provincial differences or compared injury and fatality patterns across months and years.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed road traffic injury and fatality data from nine Thai provinces—including Bangkok and eight non-tourism-focused regions—during March to May for the years 2022 to 2024. The fatality-to-injury ratio (FIR) was used as a measure of crash severity, and temporal trends were analyzed with a focus on changes surrounding the Songkran festival.

Results: April consistently exhibited the highest injury counts, with FIRs also peaking in several provinces during the same month. While Bangkok recorded the largest number of injuries, provinces like Sa Kaeo, Phayao, and Sukhothai displayed markedly higher FIRs, suggesting disproportionately severe outcomes in rural areas. Nong Bua Lamphu demonstrated a consistent decline in injuries and stable low FIRs, indicating potential effectiveness of localized safety strategies.

Discussion: Thailand’s road safety crisis is not homogenous. Risk patterns vary significantly across time and space, underscoring the need for localized, data-driven interventions. Metrics such as FIR should complement total case counts in guiding policy. Expanding road safety campaigns beyond festival periods, strengthening emergency medical services, and investing in rural infrastructure could collectively reduce preventable deaths.