Turning Tragedy into Action: Advocacy and Survival on Thailand's Roads

Mr. Jessada Yamsabai’s Path from Tragedy to Advocacy

Twenty years ago, Mr. Jessada’s life was forever changed by a drunk driver on Silom Road, leaving him with lower body paralysis. The photo captures the scars from this tragic accident, serving as a poignant reminder of that night and its lasting impact. It reflects not only the physical consequences but also the emotional and psychological challenges he endures, with his family's support.

Facing Injustice: Overcoming Emotional Pain

At his home in Klong Toey, Bangkok, Mr. Jessada wrestles with the profound emotional scars from his accident, which drove him to multiple suicide attempts. In this photo he expressed his frustration by the drunk driver's lack of accountability and the absence of support, he finds solace in his family, whose support is vital to his recovery. Turning his pain into purpose, Mr. Jessada now advocates for stronger road safety laws at the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation. He focuses on educating young and new drivers, especially teenagers, about the dangers of drunk driving, fostering a sense of responsibility and awareness among road users from a young age.

Mr. Prasom Suksawaeng - A Lesson in Responsibility and Redemption

Now 50, Mr. Prasom’s life took a dramatic turn when he was 30. This image captures the aftermath of his accident, which occurred as he sped to a job interview while still under the influence from the previous night's celebrations. The collision with a pickup truck led to the paralysis of his lower body, a permanent reminder of that fateful decision. This photo poignantly illustrates the long-lasting consequences of a momentary lapse in judgment, emphasizing the critical need for responsible driving behavior.

Turning Adversity into Opportunity: Education and Growth

In his journey of resilience and growth, Mr. Prasom is seen both embracing his workout routine, symbolizing his desire for independence and aversion to pity, and advancing his education with a master's degree and new digital skills. These images reflect his self-reliance and determination post-accident. In his role as a web admin at the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation, Mr. Prasom transforms his personal ordeal into a catalyst for societal change, analyzing road accident statistics to advocate for safer driving practices and stricter laws. His story powerfully underscores the importance of road safety and the consequences of responsible driving.

The Role of Advocates

From Optometrist to Advocate: The Birth of a Foundation

In the photo, Dr. Tairjing Siripanich, founder of the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation, showcases his deep interest in communication, a passion that began 30 years ago. His experience as an amateur radio operator opened his eyes to the realities of road traffic accidents, leading him to work with the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health Thailand, where he saw firsthand the consequences of intoxicated driving. This blend of medical knowledge and communication skills was crucial in his advocacy journey, culminating in the foundation's creation. Dr. Tairjing's enduring dedication emphasizes the importance of public and civil involvement in road safety, advocating for everyone's role as vigilant observers.

WHO Thailand and Advocates Transforming Road Safety

WHO Thailand stands with the Royal Thai Government in improving road safety. Through the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) on Road Safety Programme, WHO Thailand supported the 5th National Road Safety Master Plan (2022-2027) development with a strong foundation of international standards & frameworks such as the Safe System Approach and the Global Plan of Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030). We also support the Master Plan implementation at the local governments and have planned to provide technical assistance to the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation to help Thailand to meet the targets by the end of the Master Plan and by the global commitment of the SDGs 2030. Since over 70% of road traffic deaths are motorcycle users, 100% helmet use, drunk-don’t-drive, and safe speed are main focuses of the CCS. These initiatives enhance the advocacy stories in our photo essay, emphasizing the power of collective action in ensuring road safety. Our focus on better injury surveillance data highlights our commitment to this cause. We encourage everyone to join us in this mission, drawing inspiration from the dedication portrayed in our photo essay to make Thailand's roads safer for all.

The original press release is published on WHO