Road Traffic Injuries in Thailand: Current Situation
Witaya Chadbunchachai MD*, Weraphan Suphanchaimaj MD**, Anuchar Settasatien MD**, Thanapong Jinwong MD****
Affiliation : * WHO Collaborating Center for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion,Khon Kaen Regional Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Khon Kaen Regional Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Udornthani Regional Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Department of Disease control, Ministry of Public Health, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Road traffic injuries are a major public health problem in Thailand. The number of mortalities, morbidities
and disabilities are huge, greatly affecting the individual victims, the families, society and the nation as a whole.
Objective : To study the current situation regarding traffic injuries in Thailand.
Material and Method: Retrospective study from multiple national data sources
Results : For over ten years , the annual death toll due to road accidents has been more than ten thousand Thais. The situation
remains critical with a higher mortality and morbidity than many other low or middle income countries. Two-thirds of the
victims were males: 80% were under 40 years of age. Most (80%) of the injured and dead were motorcyclists. The large
number of traffic crashes, injuries, disabilities and deaths resulted in more than 168 thousand million Baht in economic losses
in 2002. These losses are trending to increase.
Conclusion : Traffic injuries are a persistent major public health concern primarily because of a lack of adherence to the use
of safety restraints and obedience of traffic laws. The nation must not hesitate to increase efforts to address these problems,
as they are costing life and limb of Thais every hour of every day, as well as adding a huge economic burden.
Keywords : Rood Traffic Injury, Current Situation, Risk behaviour
