The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) reported on a joint kickoff event in Prachinburi province with local authorities, the insurance sector and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) to launch a pilot “road safety model area” and a 2025 campaign to increase take-up of compulsory motor insurance, including a dedicated local working group and a policy dialogue focused on Highway 304. The project sets three core aims: conduct in-depth research on local risk factors, improve public understanding of road safety and the benefits of compulsory motor insurance, and coordinate government, private sector and community actions to deliver tangible accident-prevention measures. OIC cited an average of 14,000 road deaths per year over the past five years and noted that compulsory motor insurance is required by law for all vehicles and provides cover of up to THB 504,000 per person, but coverage stands at 79.97% of registered vehicles and 68.51% for motorcycles. TDRI analysis highlighted 711 accidents on Road 304 during 2019–2024, including 550 in the Kabin Buri–Wang Nam Khiao section, with 70 deaths and more than 400 injuries; panel participants pointed to law enforcement, speed control, safety equipment use and physical road improvements as priority measures, alongside closing coverage gaps given an estimated 7.3 million uninsured motorcycles nationwide and THB 1,522 million in compensation fund payouts for uninsured vehicles during 2016–2024. OIC framed Prachinburi as a prototype intended to be expanded to other areas, with further measures to be developed through the provincial working group and continued technical input from researchers and stakeholders.

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