Thailand braces for a safer new year as the government unveils a comprehensive plan to control alcohol-related accidents during the festive season. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has revealed a four-pronged strategy by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee to address the rise in drink-fuelled mishaps, a grim aspect of the otherwise joyous holidays across the country.

 

Drink-driving has unfortunately become a significant concern during national festivities in Thailand, often leading to tragic accidents. This new plan is a promising step towards breaking this hazardous pattern and ensuring a safer environment for citizens. As per data, a staggering 4,777 incidents involving injuries and fatalities were directly linked to alcohol consumption. In addition, 3,370 cases of drunk driving were recognized among 23,902 alcohol tests conducted at community checkpoints.

 

The initiative centres on robust enforcement of laws, public awareness campaigns, and grassroots risk prevention strategies. Additionally, it pushes for strict adherence to existing laws. The objective is to sever the lethal coupling between holiday merriment and road disasters that have become all too common.

 

 

Adding to the debates, some contentious propositions are to be discussed. The State Railway of Thailand is advocating the removal of the alcohol ban in railway stations and trains. While the Thai Hotels Association got approval for alcoholic beverages to be served in guest rooms. The Subcommittee on Legislative Drafting and Revision is considering prospective amendments to the 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.

 

Minister Somsak was unequivocal about the government's goal, affirming: "We aim to create a safer environment for everyone during the new year festivities by implementing these measures."

 

This commitment by the Thai Government is more than a new year's resolution. It is a pledge to protect lives by combating alcohol-induced accidents. It gives hope for a more responsible and safer festive season for all. As the new year approaches, it is not just about new beginnings but also about introducing an era of safety and accountability. So, here's raising a toast to that!

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-20

 

 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Drink-driving has unfortunately become a significant concern during national festivities in Thailand

are they having a laugh, drink driving is a serious problem 365 days a year

21 minutes ago, smedly said:

are they having a laugh, drink driving is a serious problem 365 days a year

 

Indeed....   what kind of antisocial ayhole drinks 10 beers then drives ???

 

Authorities need to come down on this behavior far more harshly than they currently do.

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

In addition, 3,370 cases of drunk driving were recognized among 23,902 alcohol tests conducted at community checkpoints.

 

Only 14% of those stopped and breathalysed at check points blew positive ????...  hmm... 

 

I'm going for...   14% of those who were stopped and breathalysed at check points blew positive met quotas... meanwhile a large proportion were able to circumnavigate official processing with a little lubricance.....

 

 

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand braces for a safer new year as the government unveils a comprehensive plan to control alcohol-related accidents during the festive season.

I sense a cunning plan to move new years eve to June 20th and New years day to September 10th

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand braces for a safer new year as the government unveils a comprehensive plan to control alcohol-related accidents during the festive season. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has revealed a four-pronged strategy by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee to address the rise in drink-fuelled mishaps, a grim aspect of the otherwise joyous holidays across the country.

Time to get tough

Mandatory one year in jail for DUI,

Injuries to third parties gets 5 years per victim

Death of a third party gets 10 years per victim

MANDATORY.

 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The objective is to sever the lethal coupling between holiday merriment and road disasters that have become all too common.

How about severing the coupling between financing from Boon Rawd Brewery, Singha, et al and the government. You know, just so you can pretend better...

16 hours ago, smedly said:

are they having a laugh, drink driving is a serious problem 365 days a year

 

The bigger risk than just drinking and driving is all these idiots outside the city that have a couple of drinks and drive without a helmet.

 

I am actually surprised that one has done a study on how many lives would have been spared if wearing a helmet.

26 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

 

The bigger risk than just drinking and driving is all these idiots outside the city that have a couple of drinks and drive without a helmet.

 

I am actually surprised that one has done a study on how many lives would have been spared if wearing a helmet.

 

Given that 80% of road fatalities are motorcyclists...  and so many do not wear a helmet, it could be 'guessed' that somewhere in the region of 50% of those are from head injuries that would have been avoided had a helmet been worn...  thus: a very rough estimate: about 10,000 lives.

 

It needs to be restated before some bright spark highlights there is no way of knowing without studies - of course not, this is a pure layman's guess assuming half of road deaths on a motorcycle are from head-injury.

 

Knowing the mindset of some characters on this forum: Someone will of course mention - but those people might now be a burden on their family etc... I've seen all bizarre arguments and whatifery on here...  Any such points are moronic in the context of helmets preventing deaths.

Just like their moves to "end flooding," and "end PM 2.5 haze, and "end corruption," ending drunk-driving in a country of alcoholics is a dead-end.  It will never happen.

16 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Only 14% of those stopped and breathalysed at check points blew positive ????...  hmm... 

 

I'm going for...   14% of those who were stopped and breathalysed at check points blew positive met quotas... meanwhile a large proportion were able to circumnavigate official processing with a little lubricance.....

 

 

 

Holy ****.  14% of the people on the road are drunk!!!  One of the reasons I hang up the car keys during large holidays.

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand braces for a safer new year as the government unveils a comprehensive plan to control alcohol-related accidents during the festive season.

🐂💩

How about making the Police do the job they"re paid to do, 31 December / Songkran  which ever New Year they wish to choose, put more Police on the roads, &  make them do their job

I seem to have heard this somewhere before, around a year ago.

Same rhetoric, different year!

8 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Given that 80% of road fatalities are motorcyclists...  and so many do not wear a helmet, it could be 'guessed' that somewhere in the region of 50% of those are from head injuries that would have been avoided had a helmet been worn...  thus: a very rough estimate: about 10,000 lives.

 

It needs to be restated before some bright spark highlights there is no way of knowing without studies - of course not, this is a pure layman's guess assuming half of road deaths on a motorcycle are from head-injury.

 

Knowing the mindset of some characters on this forum: Someone will of course mention - but those people might now be a burden on their family etc... I've seen all bizarre arguments and whatifery on here...  Any such points are moronic in the context of helmets preventing deaths.

 

The big thing that we have to consider is that outside of the city and burbs, people do not have a lot of choices.  It is a lot like it used to be in the country in Canada where you went to a party, had a good time, and hoped you could make it home because there is no taxi or anything.

 

The only thing that started to stop them in Canada was  

 

a. more check stops

b. harsher judges

c. society and the change in how they feel Drunk driving is not laughed off like it used to

d. car insurance

 

Because most Thais ride bikes and most Thais go out by themselves, it is very hard to have a designated driver.

 

Add in the lack of helmets and the need for speed and guess what 

 

Population control

 

500 Baht can achieve a lot in this country.🙃🙃

Ah the annual Government drink driving lip service sermon where serious repercussions will ensue if found to be driving/riding over the drink drive limit. We must be getting closer to a new year shame they don’t apply these alleged robust rules all the year round. Maybe it’ll be a really good year end and the AN resident drink driver will finally get caught.

what's  this year's campaign going be called? 14 days of death on the road?