Probation Department Reports 1,472 Drink-Driving Cases in First Three Days of Songkran

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy Department of Probation.

 

Department of Probation has revealed that within the first three days of the Songkran holiday period this year, there have been 1,579 traffic-related cases dealt with, under court-ordered probation orders, with a staggering 1,472 involving drink-driving offences. Chiang Mai ranks highest in the country with 136 cases, followed by Samut Prakan (123 cases) and Bangkok (118 cases).

 

Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya Singhakomol, Director-General of the Department of Probation, emphasised the department’s strict monitoring measures which are being used. These include the use of Electronic Monitoring (EM) bracelets ordered by the courts, and collaboration with local police stations to track driver behaviour through CCTV footage.

 

 

In addition to surveillance, probationers are also required to participate in community service programmes, including assisting crash victims and touring hospital morgues to instil awareness of the devastating consequences of reckless driving.

 

On 13 April alone, 224 new probation cases were applied, 219 for drink-driving (97.77%) and 5 for driving under the influence of drugs (2.23%). Over the three-day period, 15 offenders have been fitted with EM devices: 4 for drink-driving and 11 for drug-related offences. Just three cases of reckless driving were reported.

 

Comparative figures with last year show a slight drop. On the third day of the festival in 2024, there were 242 drink-driving probation cases, compared to 219 in 2025, a reduction of 23 cases.

 

The department is ensuring that all probation offices nationwide remain operational throughout the holiday to accept cases and provide advice to offenders. Additionally, 87 checkpoints have been set up to support public service and inspections, with 1,938 officers deployed. Public awareness campaigns are also underway, with 356 people having participated in the activities so far.

 

-- 2025-04-14

 

[Captain Flack]

A off topic post, questioning AN policy has been removed. @Gottfrid

[phil2407]

Why don’t they just ban them from driving (instead of points system) for 12 months & if caught driving jail 

 

[hotchilli]

On 4/15/2025 at 7:12 AM, phil2407 said:

Why don’t they just ban them from driving (instead of points system) for 12 months & if caught driving jail 

 

Ban for a year and confiscate the vehicle for a year... a simple ban would not deter most from returning to the roads.

[Sydebolle]

Irrespective of ownership impound the vehicle for three months, release it against a juicy fine of 40,000 Baht. The culprit enjoys a week in the morgue in the first instance and if repeated, then book him for a month with the compliments of the justice system of Thailand. 

This has to and must stop here and now; I am absolutely appalled that not more accidents happened here in Nong Khai. Some drivers were completely wasted before noon, getting more booze at Makro and would have fallen over if not supported by the shopping trolley to the booze section. In bright daylight ..... so no wonder!