Road Safety
Road safety a major public health and a priority for the Royal Government of Thailand. Despite having a fifth National Road Safety Master Plan in place, progress has been slow over the past two decades. According to the fifth Global Status Report on Road Safety (2023), Thailand had a road traffic death rate of 25.4 per 100 000 population in 2021, which remains one of the highest in Asia and among upper-middle-income countries. Thailand ranks ninth out of 175 WHO member countries for road traffic deaths. In 2021, WHO estimates indicated 18,218 road traffic deaths, an average of 50 per day. The most affected were those aged between 15 and 29; and motorcyclists who accounted for 83.8% of all traffic deaths. According to Thailand Development Research Institute Foundation (TDRI), the economic loss due to road traffic related deaths and severe injuries is estimated at 531,058 million Thai Baht (approximately 15.51 billion US dollars) in 2022, which is equivalent to 3.06% of the GDP.
Focus areas
- Strength the road safety cooperation mechanism, from community engagement to high-level advocacy such as the parliamentary advisory group.
- Strengthen laws and policy implementation on motorcycle safety.
- Ensure that road safety implementation in Thailand aligns with SDGs and the international agendas.
- Capacity-building to enable local stakeholders and actors to address road safety challenges.
Expected outcomes
- To support Thailand in achieving 12 road traffic deaths per 100 000 population by 2027, in alignment with the National Fifth Road Safety Master Plan.
- Bring down the number of deaths among motorcycle users by 50% by 2027.
Objectives
- Reduce the high death rates among motorcycle users by addressing risk factors such as not wearing helmet, drunk driving, and speeding.
- Support the development of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data system to enhance feedback mechanisms.
- Foster collaboration among policymakers, academia, funders, international organizations, and other stakeholders to create a results-focused coalition.
- Align efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 3.6 and 11.2, the Safe System Approach, the 12 voluntary global targets for road safety, and the Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action (2021–2030).
SDGs
3.6: By 2030, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents
11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons
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