According to the Department of Probation, 8,575 drunk driving charges accounted for 96.69% of all motor vehicle-related cases that the police brought before the courts over the seven days of Songkran celebrations in order to seek the drivers’ probation.
Only 1,910 of the cases received probationary orders from the courts, nevertheless. These include 40 of the 270 instances of driving while intoxicated and the 1,870 drunk driving cases.
Bangkok (530), Roi-Et (473) and Chiang Mai (458) were the three provinces with the highest drunk driving incidents between April 11 and April 17.
In the seven days around Songkran last year, there were 7,141 incidences of drunk driving; this year, there were 8,575, a 20.08% rise.
Weerakit Hanpariphan, director general of the Department of Probation, stated that all drivers who were put on probation will have to undergo screening to determine their drinking behavior, and if it is found that any of them are or are at risk of becoming addicted, they will be sent for rehabilitation.
In regards to drivers who are at danger of recidivism, he stated that they will be sent to boot camp-style behavioral reform for three consecutive days and will be compelled to regularly report to probation officials and complete social services.
