Songkran celebrations have yet to officially begin, but the bad behavior has already begun.
More than 300 people were given probation yesterday in the run-up to the Thai New Year, when vehicular recklessness and road deaths run high.
Probation department chief Weerakit Hanpariphan announced today that court-ordered punishment came as many people had already begun celebrating the first post-pandemic Songkran.
The majority of the orders, 77%, were for drunk driving. Other cases included driving under other influences, reckless driving, and speeding.
The department noted that last year had 328 cases for drunk driving, a decrease of 87 cases for this year.
The provinces with the highest cases were Bangkok with 37, Nonthaburi with 32, and Chiang Rai with 26 cases.
Weerakit emphasized that rehab measures for drunk drivers would prevent accidents from happening. The probation department said it would assess offenders and send them to a hospital under the health ministry for treatment in an intense three-day rehabilitation program.
Forty-five public service points, search checkpoints and community checkpoints with volunteers have been set up throughout the country for Thailand’s safe driving campaign.
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