Phuket traffic deaths hit 110 in first half of 2026, prompting safety actions

From January to June 2026, 110 people were killed in road accidents on Thailand’s Phuket island, a rise that could push the annual toll above 200 if the trend continues. The province, which recorded 149 traffic deaths in 2025, has launched a five‑point safety plan covering public education, traffic discipline, emergency response, post‑incident care and management. Repairs are under way on the Samkong and Five‑Way‑Chalong underpasses, with lighting work scheduled to finish by late August, while night‑time construction windows have caused delays. Video surveillance has been added to the Sarasin and Thao‑Thep‑Krasattri bridges after previous jump incidents, feeding into the PHUKET EYE monitoring system.

Separately, a 42‑year‑old Russian woman was killed in a suspected hit‑and‑run on Thepkrasattri Road, one of Phuket’s main arteries. Police say she was first struck by a Toyota Hilux pickup that fled the scene, then run over by at least two other vehicles, including an ambulance. All drivers have been identified, but charges have not yet been filed. The incident has reinforced authorities’ warnings about crossing major highways without designated crossings, especially in low‑visibility conditions.