More than 550 motorcycle helmets handed out to schoolchildren in Hua Hin
More than 550 motorcycle helmets have been distributed to students in Hua Hin as part of a road safety initiative ahead of the Songkran festival, when traffic volumes and accident risks typically increase.
The helmets were handed out on Tuesday morning (31 Mar) at Ban Bor Fai Municipal School, with students from municipal and other local schools receiving the safety equipment.
The initiative was organised by Vilhelm International Academy and The Hub Hua Hin and attended by Hua Hin City Municipality Mayor Nopporn Wutthikul, who said road safety remains a key concern in the lead-up to the holiday period. The event was also attended by the CEO of The Hub and the Director of Vilhelm International Academy, Dr. Henrik Vilhelm Fagersson.
Songkran is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Thailand, with increased movement on roads and a higher incidence of accidents, particularly involving motorcycles. Local officials and organisers said the campaign aimed to reduce risks by encouraging helmet use among young riders and passengers.
Focus on safety during Songkran
The project was supported by private sector partners and volunteers who helped organise and fund the distribution. The initiative was also led in part by students from Vilhelm International Academy.
Organisers said the campaign was designed not only to provide protective equipment but also to promote awareness of road safety habits from an early age.
In addition to receiving the helmets, all students took part in a practical education station focused on the importance of road safety. The activity aimed to reinforce safe habits, including the correct use of helmets and awareness of traffic risks.
Mayor Nopporn also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant during Songkran, noting that traffic is expected to be particularly heavy. He advised that children should wear helmets at all times when travelling by motorcycle, even for short distances or when taking part in water-related festivities.
Road safety campaigns are regularly stepped up across the country in the weeks leading up to Songkran, often referred to as the “seven dangerous days”, when accident rates typically rise due to increased travel and celebrations.
