Phuket urges safe Songkran with pickup truck rules
As Songkran fever begins to sweep across the nation, Phuket urges revellers to keep safety at the top of their minds, especially those celebrating from the back of pickup trucks. While the water fights and festive cheer are returning in full swing, local officials remind citizens that fun shouldn’t come at the cost of safety or the law.
The Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office issued an advisory from the Traffic Management Centre of the Royal Thai Police, launching its Safe Songkran: Sit Smart in the Back of a Pickup campaign. The initiative aims to ensure that water warriors enjoy the celebrations without turning the roads into danger zones.
“Celebrate Songkran with joy, but don’t take unnecessary risks,” the statement reads. “Follow these rules to protect yourself and others on the road.”
Here are the key safety regulations every Songkran reveller should know:
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Drivers and front-seat passengers must always wear seat belts.
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Children under six years old or shorter than 135cm are strictly prohibited from sitting in the back of pickup trucks.
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A maximum of six people can sit in the back, only in the truck bed with the tailgate securely closed.
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Sitting on the edges or sides of the pickup truck is not allowed.
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No more than three people may occupy narrow spaces within the vehicle.
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Standing in the back of a moving pickup is prohibited under all circumstances.
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Drivers carrying passengers in the rear must stick to the left side of the road and observe a strict speed limit of 60 km/h.
Phuket officials are especially concerned about road safety this year, urging locals and tourists to prioritise responsible travel to and from holiday destinations. The campaign also targets risky behaviours such as drunk driving and speeding, which often spike during Thailand’s most famous festival, reported The Phuket News.
With road accidents consistently ranking among the leading causes of injury and death during Songkran, this year’s message is clear: water fights are fun, but staying alive is better.
So whether you’re hopping into the back of a truck or behind the wheel, follow the rules, respect the road—and make it a Songkran to remember for the right reasons.
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