BANGKOK: Drunk driving incidents in Bangkok and Chiang Mai have surged past 800 cases during a six-day period over the New Year, prompting increased enforcement measures by local probation officers. Sakon Nakhon officials have taken a strict stance on the installation of electronic monitoring (EM) devices for drunk driving offenses, while authorities in Prachuap Khiri Khan are engaging probationers in traffic surveillance efforts to promote road safety.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya Singhakamol, Director-General of the Department of Probation, released statistics marking the start of 2025. On January 1, the department recorded 1,567 cases entering probation, with 1,542 of these related to drunk driving and 25 to drug-impaired driving. Over the six-day period from December 27, 2024, to January 1, 2025, there were 5,587 probation cases, with electronic monitoring imposed in 33 instances.
The breakdown of cases includes 5,426 incidents of drunk driving, comprising 97.12% of the total, with 32 offenders fitted with EM devices. There were also 157 cases of drug-impaired driving and 4 instances of reckless driving. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Nonthaburi topped the list of provinces with the highest number of drunk driving cases, recording 420, 418, and 325 cases respectively.
Lt. Col. Suriya noted that the Sakon Nakhon Probation Office has enforced court orders to install EM devices on 10 offenders for three months. Three of these individuals had prior drunk driving arrests and exhibited significant alcohol levels, leading to a six-month suspension of their driving licenses.
In Prachuap Khiri Khan, probationers are working alongside provincial police to monitor traffic behavior via CCTV, aiming to raise awareness of safe driving practices and the potential consequences of violations. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Probation Department to enhance public safety during the New Year festivities, collaborating with various stakeholders across 58 high-risk locations, involving over 284 participants.