File photo for reference only

 

The Court of Justice has warned motorists against driving under the influence during the New Year's holiday, highlighting the severity of penalties involved. Court spokesman Suriyan Hongwilai noted an annual increase in cases during this period, particularly for violating the Land Traffic Act, with drunk driving being a primary concern. Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or substances is strictly prohibited under Section 43(2), and offenders face serious consequences.

 

Those caught drunk driving could face up to one year in prison, fines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 Thai baht, or both, along with a mandatory driver's licence suspension of at least six months or even revocation. More severe penalties apply if the incident results in harm. Cases of bodily or mental injury can lead to one to five years in prison and fines between 20,000 and 100,000 Thai baht, while serious injury can increase imprisonment to two to six years and fines to 40,000 to 120,000 Thai baht.

 

Fatal incidents significantly raise the penalties to three to ten years' imprisonment, fines of 60,000 to 200,000 Thai baht, and permanent licence revocation. The country heavily penalises driving under the influence of drugs, imposing penalties one-third higher than standard laws. A conviction can result in up to one year and four months in prison or fines reaching 26,666 Thai baht, along with potential licence suspension or revocation.

 

Mr. Suriyan emphasised that courts across the country remain operational during public holidays for handling criminal cases, including detention requests, bail, warrants, and fine payments. The Khwaeng courts are open for offences carrying penalties of up to three years' imprisonment, such as drunk driving without injuries, which must be processed within 48 hours. Juvenile and Family Courts are also open to manage urgent legal matters, reinforcing that the justice system remains active during the holiday season, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Court warns against drink and drug driving during holidays.
• Severe penalties include imprisonment and hefty fines.
• Courts remain operational for urgent legal matters.

 

Related story:

Thailand Launches Seven-Day New Year Road Safety Crackdown

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-12-30

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

Those caught drunk driving could face up to one year in prison, fines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 Thai baht, or both, along with a mandatory driver's licence suspension of at least six months or even revocation. More severe penalties apply if the incident results in harm. Cases of bodily or mental injury can lead to one to five years in prison and fines between 20,000 and 100,000 Thai baht, while serious injury can increase imprisonment to two to six years and fines to 40,000 to 120,000 Thai baht.

if they actually enforced the rules strictly, without any exceptions, 365 days a year … that would be great!

 

sorry, i’m drifting off again, dreaming that the seflish DUI offenders might finally be held accountable. in reality, nothing will change.

next year we’ll see the same announcements about intensified controls once more, just as always, with no real results and long term improvement ...

1 hour ago, motdaeng said:

if they actually enforced the rules strictly, without any exceptions, 365 days a year … that would be great!

 

sorry, i’m drifting off again, dreaming that the seflish DUI offenders might finally be held accountable. in reality, nothing will change.

next year we’ll see the same announcements about intensified controls once more, just as always, with no real results and long term improvement ...

Thailands impossible Dream!!! 

I'm sure it's different this time !

19 hours ago, webfact said:

The Court of Justice has warned motorists against driving under the influence during the New Year's holiday, highlighting the severity of penalties involved

this like saying drink driving other times is ok, no wonder they have the most dangerous roads in the world

drink driving is illegal and people are being killed 365 days a year

Depending on status and connections.... courts will get serious ?

Thailand, sure you increase those penalties on paper. In reality, they are still to be enforced by an unreformed police.

Same with your education system, year on year you lament poor results and increase the budget, while you never ever really change how you teach.

See the similarities?The systemic problems? The fundamentals...?

On 12/30/2025 at 8:58 AM, motdaeng said:

if they actually enforced the rules strictly, without any exceptions, 365 days a year … that would be great!

 

sorry, i’m drifting off again, dreaming that the seflish DUI offenders might finally be held accountable. in reality, nothing will change.

next year we’ll see the same announcements about intensified controls once more, just as always, with no real results and long term improvement ...

They're doing it now and I support that

Why am I not surprised ?? Business as Usual. All talk and little action

25 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Thailand, sure you increase those penalties on paper. In reality, they are still to be enforced by an unreformed police.

Same with your education system, year on year you lament poor results and increase the budget, while you never ever really change how you teach.

See the similarities?The systemic problems? The fundamentals...?

What became of the 12 points system ,12 and automatic ban, Nothing happened did it?.

Same procedure as last years then ......... the bookies are busy taking bets

44 minutes ago, murto said:

They're doing it now and I support that

They "SAY" they’re doing it. As with everything else what’s said and what happens are entirely different things. There’s been tantamount to the same thing said every year - every year nothing changes. It’s simply a PR stunt.

What make you think it’s happening this time?

I’ve been to a few Thai houses over the years during the festive times. On a few occasions I’ve seen police family members or friends dropping by eating and drinking in uniform then heading off back to work. I’ve been shown how the guns works by the drunk officers etc. The moral of the story: mentality and culture need time, in addition to enforcement, to evolve. Unfortunately neither is ready🥺

Don't drink-drive it tastes terrible.

On 12/30/2025 at 8:48 AM, webfact said:

Fatal incidents significantly raise the penalties to three to ten years' imprisonment, fines of 60,000 to 200,000 Thai baht,

How will this work without 1000 baht bills?

I think let many have mentioned part to possibly reduce number of impaired drivers, part theatrical.

Only thing I do is make sure I'm at my destination at 9 or 10 to reduce risk of being a speed bump under some intoxicated persons car/truck.

1 hour ago, AustinRacing said:

I’ve been shown how the guns works by the drunk officers etc.

I know a guy who used to smoke a bong with a thai police officer in the south back in the early 2000s.

Strange but true . I have just insured my car with Roojai insurance and there is one option in the levels of insurance that you opt for and that is , to be insured for drink driving .

In Ireland we say don't drink and drive youed only spill it !!!

It's a bit like Australia at this time of year where the authorities state the severe penalties at the max but never ever enforce them.

Take this Thai current crack down article where it states and please allow me to highlight key words in bold:

" 'could' face up to one year in prison, fines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 ...with a mandatory driver's licence suspension of at least six months or even revocation. ... Cases of bodily or mental injury 'can' lead to one to five years in prison and fines between 20,000 and 100,000"

You see it is always "could" or "can". But both Au and Thailand never state " it will be"?

Just announced. New Year drunk driving amnesty for all drivers of European vehicles

One day somebody might have the bright idea, and convince others of the benefits, in implementing this all year round rather than just holiday periods. Unfortunately I’m not holding my breath.

Why would drunk drivers get mercy at ANY time of year?

Surely it’s guilty or not guilty and sentence determined according to level of intoxication. If there is a fatality, it’s manslaughter added on to drunk driving charges.

Even if they catch a huge number of DUIs, they don't seem to realise that they are ALREADY DUI – what is needed is a mindset that prevents and deters DUI.

1 hour ago, IsaanGuy said:

One day somebody might have the bright idea, and convince others of the benefits, in implementing this all year round rather than just holiday periods. Unfortunately I’m not holding my breath.

In fact, every holiday the road crash figures are less than the average over the year – this is not due to any action by the authorities; it is down to the nature of the traffic and the demography – for instance, heavy commercial vehicles are banned over holidays, and traffic is much heavier and slow-moving at the beginning and end of the holidays.

4 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Even if they catch a huge number of DUIs, they don't seem to realise that they are ALREADY DUI – what is needed is a mindset that prevents and deters DUI.

Yes .

it's just totally normal and excepted in Thai culture.

To get pissed out your face and drive home. as fast a possible.

No one cares at all.

Just shame full.

2 hours ago, cynic1 said:

It's a bit like Australia at this time of year where the authorities state the severe penalties at the max but never ever enforce them.

<snip>

That surprises me - Australian friends have told me that Oz is similar to UK. In UK, the law and the severe penalties are the same all year round.

The only difference in UK is that the police are looking out more keenly for likely drunks and will use any possible justification to stop and breathalyse.

Same applies to drug driving.

Personally i have no problem with it - I KNOW my judgement is impaired after drinking alcohol!

4 hours ago, cynic1 said:

It's a bit like Australia at this time of year where the authorities state the severe penalties at the max but never ever enforce them.

Take this Thai current crack down article where it states and please allow me to highlight key words in bold:

" 'could' face up to one year in prison, fines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 ...with a mandatory driver's licence suspension of at least six months or even revocation. ... Cases of bodily or mental injury 'can' lead to one to five years in prison and fines between 20,000 and 100,000"

You see it is always "could" or "can". But both Au and Thailand never state " it will be"?

The cops in Aus are a complete different kettle of fish than here! And the fines there are huge! And no little 1000 bht to get let off… Thai cops are lazy but I like them that way!

12 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

Same procedure as last years then ......... the bookies are busy taking bets

That is actually true. Years ago I put one hundred baht for 426. I did not win. I think it was 434.

Same every year the deadly 7 days of the new year.I will look at the numbers of deaths or accidents and see nothing changes except the press stories