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Thailand urges helmet use amid rising motorcycle fatalities

Deputy DDC Director-General Dr. Anek Mungomklang added that 84% of motorcyclists hospitalised between 2020 and 2024 were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident. He emphasised that the number of motorcyclists not wearing helmets was eight times higher than those who did.

Over 14,000 people killed in motorcycle accidents in Thailand in 2024. (Photo: nationthailand.com)
Over 14,000 people killed in motorcycle accidents in Thailand in 2024. (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand's Department of Disease Control (DDC) on June 5 called on all motorcyclists to wear helmets, highlighting that over 14,000 people died in motorcycle-related accidents in 2024.

DDC Director-General Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul cited official statistics from three government agencies, revealing that between 2020 and 2024, an average of 17,428 people died in road accidents each year, with 80% involving motorcycles.

Dr. Panumas noted that in 2024 alone, 17,447 people were killed in road traffic accidents, of which 14,144 deaths were linked to motorcycle incidents, on average, three people died in motorcycle accidents every two hours in 2024.

He also referenced data from the Health Data Centre (HDC) of the Ministry of Public Health, indicating that in 2022, over 1.06 million people were treated for road accident-related injuries including 212,271 inpatients and 848,295 outpatients. The total treatment cost reached 7.827 billion THB (240 million USD) , with 80% attributed to motorcycle-related injuries.

Deputy DDC Director-General Dr. Anek Mungomklang added that 84% of motorcyclists hospitalised between 2020 and 2024 were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident. He emphasised that the number of motorcyclists not wearing helmets was eight times higher than those who did.

The DDC's appeal aligns with Thailand's broader efforts to enhance road safety, including stricter enforcement of helmet laws and public awareness campaigns./.

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