Thailand: As November, a month dedicated by the Catholic Church to remembering and praying for the departed, unfolds, the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation has urged churches across Thailand to include prayers for road traffic accident victims.

Since 1993, the United Nations and World Health Organization have designated the third Sunday of November as the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which this year fell on November 17.

Father Peter Chalongrath Sangkarat, director of Kulabwittaya School in Bangkok, told LiCAS News that this initiative aligns with the Church’s tradition of praying for the deceased during November, particularly those who lost their lives in tragic circumstances like drunk driving and reckless road behavior.

The foundation has also formally requested the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand to encourage Catholic churches nationwide to include traffic accident victims in their prayers.

Thailand, which has one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world and leads Southeast Asia in traffic-related deaths, sees nearly 20,000 fatalities annually—about 50 deaths per day—according to the Thai Public Health Ministry. Motorcyclists, particularly high school and college students, are among the most affected.

Kannattha Sriphen, director of St. John’s School in Loei province, highlighted the vulnerability of young motorbike users. "Every year, students in our district, including those from our school, are involved in traffic accidents, with some tragically losing their lives,” she said.

The issue is particularly pronounced during the Thai New Year in April, commonly known as the “Seven Dangerous Days,” a period notorious for a spike in road accidents caused by speeding and alcohol consumption, disproportionately impacting motorcyclists.

The Church’s November focus on honoring the departed resonates deeply with the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation’s call, emphasizing the lasting impact of road tragedies on families and communities across Thailand.