Picture courtesy of Daily News

The probation authorities have reported that drink-driving cases overwhelmingly dominated the first day of the “seven dangerous days” New Year road safety campaign for 2026, with 273 cases recorded nationwide and Bangkok logging the highest number. The figures highlight the continued impact of alcohol-related offences on road safety at the start of the holiday period.

On 31 December, Pol Col Piya Raksakul, Director-General of the Department of Probation, disclosed statistics from 30 December 2025, the first day of the New Year road safety crackdown. Courts placed a total of 321 cases under probation supervision, with drink-driving accounting for more than 85 per cent of all offences handled that day.

The New Year “seven dangerous days” campaign is an annual nationwide effort aimed at preventing and reducing road accidents during the peak travel and celebration period. It typically involves heightened enforcement, public awareness measures, and coordination among multiple state agencies to address drink-driving, reckless driving and drug-related offences.

According to the Department of Probation, the 321 cases comprised 273 drink-driving cases, representing 85.05 per cent, four cases of reckless driving, or 1.25 per cent and 44 cases of driving under the influence of drugs, or 13.70 per cent. When compared with the New Year 2025 campaign, drink-driving cases fell by 71 cases, from 344 last year to 273 this year, indicating a year-on-year reduction.

Provincial data showed that Bangkok recorded the highest number of drink-driving cases at 45, followed by Nonthaburi with 40 cases and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya with 36 cases. These three areas ranked as the top provinces for alcohol-related driving offences on the campaign’s opening day.

Pol Col Piya expressed concern for members of the public travelling back to their home provinces or taking holidays during the extended New Year break. He said the Department of Probation had prepared a comprehensive operational plan for the 2026 New Year period under the theme “Probation cares, joining hands to build a safe society and reduce road accidents”.

The plan focuses on four main measures: management and administrative coordination, reducing road and environmental risk factors, promoting safe behaviour among road users, and providing assistance after accidents occur. These measures are intended to support broader national efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities during the festive season.

Daily News reported that authorities are expected to continue close monitoring throughout the remaining days of the New Year campaign, with probation data forming part of the overall assessment of road safety performance. Further statistics will be released as the campaign progresses, helping to evaluate whether enforcement and prevention measures lead to sustained reductions in offences and accidents.

Key Takeaways

• Drink-driving accounted for 273 of 321 probation cases on the first day of the New Year 2026 campaign.

• Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya recorded the highest numbers of drink-driving cases.

• Authorities have rolled out four measures focusing on prevention, enforcement, and post-accident support.

 Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2026-01-01

 

this needs to be enforced 365 days a year

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

According to the Department of Probation, the 321 cases comprised 273 drink-driving cases, representing 85.05 per cent, four cases of reckless driving, or 1.25 per cent and 44 cases of driving under the influence of drugs, or 13.70 per cent.

I presume the drunk drivers were breathalyzed, but how did they know about the others, as they seem to all drive the same.....

The problem is that there is no police to be seen anywhere.. I just come back home and on the road a few teenagers without helmets, and no silencer on their motorbike are racing over the Phetkasem road, looking backwarths to their friends without paying attention to the other traffic.. and where is the police to be found?? Probably in a tent waiting till something is happening

How many of these will be banned from driving?

20 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The problem is that there is no police to be seen anywhere.. I just come back home and on the road a few teenagers without helmets, and no silencer on their motorbike are racing over the Phetkasem road, looking backwarths to their friends without paying attention to the other traffic.. and where is the police to be found?? Probably in a tent waiting till something is happening

They only show up to scrape up the bodies or to lay blame, though don't expect them to blame themselves for dereliction or incompetence.

Literally EVERY SINGLE year it is the same song ....... how boring!

There are laws and regulations, follow those, to start with. Possibly review the laws to read first offense with minor alcohol above limit costs 5,000 Baht, second offense costs 20,000 Baht and vehicle gets impounded for two weeks (extra towing/parking costs) and driving license gone for three months, third offense car gets auctioned off, driving license gone for five years.

Why, seriously, why is Thailand among the most dangerous countries to drive a vehicle, why do more people get killed over the "festive" days compared to other countries which have less death cases in a full year?

Police is there to enforce the law but most of them are either on the take or drunk themselves - you're welcome!

Everyone in the world drinks to celebrate a 'happy' New Year. Why not ban the use of cars on January 1st, except for taxis and ambulances?

59 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Literally EVERY SINGLE year it is the same song ....... how boring!

There are laws and regulations, follow those, to start with. Possibly review the laws to read first offense with minor alcohol above limit costs 5,000 Baht, second offense costs 20,000 Baht and vehicle gets impounded for two weeks (extra towing/parking costs) and driving license gone for three months, third offense car gets auctioned off, driving license gone for five years.

Why, seriously, why is Thailand among the most dangerous countries to drive a vehicle, why do more people get killed over the "festive" days compared to other countries which have less death cases in a full year?

Police is there to enforce the law but most of them are either on the take or drunk themselves - you're welcome!

I totally agree, but the problem is that a lot of drivers don't have a driverslicense at all and if they have one and are not allowed to drive they will do, becausevthe RTP is not enforceing any law or take the bribe...that is why the problemsvin Thailand never can be solved. There is no working RTP or other law enforcement institute.

They never mention those fatalities and injured that were not wearing a helmet.

Community service ,come on it needs to be a 12 month ban that is the only way to solve this problem.