The National Council Peace and Order has vowed to get tough with drunk drivers during the upcoming New Year’s holiday by pulling them over and confiscating their vehicles.
Because of sky-high records of road accidents during the holiday, Gen. Theerachai Nakwanich, Commander of Royal Thai Army, said he has instructed all military units to set up road checkpoints across the country and nab drunk drivers.
If the drivers are found to be intoxicated, the officials will confiscate their vehicles, and they will have to come pick them up after the New Year’s holiday.
“Our New Year’s gift to citizens is to take care of them. They cannot just drink alcoholic beverages and cause trouble to others. For minor routes, we have instructed village headmen to keep an eye out for anyone who might have been drinking,” Theerachai said.
“Their vehicles must be confiscated for their own good.”
All drivers of public transportation have been explicitly instructed to stay sober while working. If found guilty, the drivers and owners of the vehicles will be prosecuted, Daily News reported.
A total of 341 people died and 3,117 were injured in road accidents during the New Year’s holiday last year, with drunk driving being the leading cause for accidents.
Check out our photo essay feature on the “7 Dangerous Days” where a Coconuts photographer followed a rescue crew during the Songkran holiday.
Reader Interactions