Foreign Embassy Alliance driving change on road safety with Ministry of Transport and WHO Thailand
The Embassy Friends of Road Safety (EFRS) alliance was established by the British Embassy Bangkok in 2016 to ensure effective coordination and communication among like-minded foreign embassies in Thailand to enhance road safety.
EFRS aims to engage its members in road safety promotion in Thailand through campaigns and initiatives; work together to reduce the number of Thais and foreign nationals involved in road traffic accidents; and provide the World Health Organization Thailand (WHO) and Thai government with information and data to support wider efforts in road safety.
Today, at the British Ambassador’s Residence, the alliance celebrates its successful achievements to date including:
- production of a driving licence English-language training video with the Department of Land Transport
- a policy recommendation to the Ministry of Transport to tighten motorcycle safety rules and regulations
- a request over the New Year holiday for tighter law enforcement on wearing motorbike helmets, drink driving and speeding
Minister of Transport, Mr. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, says:
Due to the fact that foreign tourists want to travel by themselves so that motorcycle rental is famous among alternative types of vehicles. The safety measures for them are thus very important. The strict safety precautions including helmet wearing for riders, safe riding campaign, speed limit law enforcement, and the international licensing are managed and monitored by related agency as the Department of Land Transport. The training on rules and regulations of riding motorcycles in Thailand especially the lane for riding, the motorcycle rental, and the appropriate licensing are also carried out.
British Chargé d’Affaires, Ms Margaret Tongue, says:
The Embassy Friends of Road Safety was established by the UK, driven by shared concerns across foreign embassies on the number of foreign nationals affected by road accidents in Thailand. The British Embassy’s Consular team alone dealt with 68 cases related to road accidents in 2018.
The group continuously engage with the Royal Thai government through the commitment of the Ministry of Transport to solving this problem. And we value the technical expertise and advice of WHO Thailand as we all work to make roads safer for everyone in Thailand.
WHO representative to Thailand, Dr Daniel Kertesz, says:
Both in Thailand and around the world, too many people are dying needlessly in traffic collisions. The 2018 Global Status Report on Road Safety reveals that over 1.3 million people die every year in road traffic crashes around the world. In Thailand, 60 people die every day on our roads. 3 out of every 4 road traffic deaths in Thailand are riders of motorized 2- and 3-wheelers, mainly motorcycles.
I would like to be clear: road traffic crashes are not ‘accidents’; they are completely preventable. With continued strong leadership and the right investment, Thailand can develop the safeguards and best practices that are required to save lives. The focus on motorcycle safety is very encouraging and commendable.
The British Embassy Bangkok believes that safe roads are for everyone to enjoy. Safety for British tourists to Thailand is a top priority for us with over 1 million British people visiting every year. At peak times of the year we encourage our tourists to respect road laws in Thailand through campaigns and updates on Travel Advice. The UK is the only foreign embassy on the Motorcycle Safety National Steering Committee, which was launched by the Ministry of Transport in June 2018. At the same time, as part of the Embassy Friends of Road Safety alliance, we join with others in calling for enforcement of regulations that effectively and consistently prevent risks or road accidents.
Further information
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There are 16 foreign embassies in Thailand who are members of the EFRS: The United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland and USA. Membership is determined on specific criteria.
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Road Safety remains a significant problem in Thailand, causing a huge number of road traffic fatalities among Thai people every year and affecting the millions of foreign tourists, some of whom may become victims of road traffic incidents.
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According to the WHO report, Global Status Report on Road Safety 2018, Thailand is ranked 8th for the world’s most dangerous places to drive. Its rank has dropped from 2nd position last year.
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There are numerous stakeholders in Thailand involved in road safety. In 2011, the Executive Order “Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents” was established under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to provide a multi-sectoral committee to address road safety. The Executive Order includes committees from The National Road Accident Prevention & Reduction Policy Board, The Road Safety Management Center, The Road Safety Operating Center and non-governmental groups and organisations working to improve road safety in Thailand.