New Year’s Day in Phuket sees six in hospital after road accidents

Phuket’s New Year’s Day celebrations were marred by the news of road accidents that resulted in the injury of six individuals, as confirmed by the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM-Phuket). The report, released on this morning, provided details of the unfortunate incidents.

The injured, constituting four men and two women, were victims of the six acknowledged accidents that occurred within 24 hours of yesterday, January 1. The daily Seven Days safety campaign briefing held at Phuket Provincial Hall, was where DDPM-Phuket Assistant Head Charan Kwankaew revealed these figures.

This year’s intensive control period of the safety campaign, which primarily focuses on road incidents, hit the accelerator on December 29 and is set to conclude on Thursday, January 4. Captain Pongsakorn Itsombat of the Phuket branch of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the political arm of the Thai military, presided over the briefing.

In contrast to prior reports, the account of the briefing today by the Phuket branch of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket) omitted a detailed breakdown of the accidents, neglecting to mention even the districts in which the acknowledged accidents took place.

It’s important to note that the accidents acknowledged by Phuket officials are only those where victims required hospital admission for treatment. However, Thailand’s national road safety agency, ThaiRSC, reported that although no deaths occurred, the number of individuals injured in road accidents in Phuket on New Year’s Day was 90.

ThaiRSC today reported one fatality and 30 injuries due to road accidents. The fatality was the result of a mishap in Thalang, with 18 accidents recorded in Muang District, nine in Thalang District, and three in Kathu District. These numbers, as reported by ThaiRSC, are expected to be somewhat acknowledged by Phuket officials in their subsequent daily briefings.

DDPM-Phuket’s Report

DDPM-Phuket’s report confirming the six injuries on New Year’s Day brings the total number of hospital admissions during the Seven Days campaign to 27, thankfully with no reported fatalities. The report reiterated risky driving behaviour, drunk driving, and speeding as the main contributors to these accidents, with motorbikes being the most common vehicles involved.

The report also highlighted that there are 30 police checkpoints across the island, including 11 main checkpoints and 19 community checkpoints. However, the number of fines issued for traffic violations yesterday was not confirmed.

Regarding the tour speedboat accident at Koh Maithon on December 31, the report only affirmed previously confirmed information: one fatality and eight injuries, with the injured receiving hospital treatment, and the speedboat insured for medical expenses and in the event of death.

According to the PR Phuket report, Charan emphasized the need for officials to enhance road safety efforts, particularly at the community level, and facilitate traffic to alleviate congestion as people continue their return home after holidaying in Phuket. Extra vigilance was requested at bus stations to ensure that people don’t miss their buses and that buses and drivers adhere to safety protocols, reported Phuket News.