The Probation Department revealed that during the 5-day Songkran festival, drunk driving cases surged to 3,726, while reminding the public to be mindful of safety when using roads and vehicles.
On 15 April 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Piya Raksakul, Director-General of the Probation Department, stated that the department has instructed probation offices nationwide to enforce strict measures under the concept of safe driving, reducing speed and accidents, and “Probation Department collaborates to create a safe society and reduce road accidents.” Probationers participated in community service supporting officials at 18 public service points, with 357 participants. Additionally, a training session on traffic laws and the dangers of alcohol consumption was held once, attended by 24 people, to raise awareness and change risky behaviors.
The main goal of these efforts is to ensure that people can safely travel back to their hometowns and return to Bangkok, minimizing accident-related losses and fostering sustainable traffic discipline in society.
Regarding case statistics, the Director-General disclosed that on 14 April 2026, courts ordered probation in a total of 667 cases, as many courts were closed in various areas. Of these, 650 cases (97.5%) involved driving under the influence of alcohol, and 17 cases (2.5%) involved driving under the influence of drugs.
Accumulated statistics over the 5 days from 10 to 14 April 2026 show a total of 3,961 cases: 3,726 (94.07%) were drunk driving; 230 (5.8%) were driving under the influence of drugs; 4 (0.1%) were reckless driving; and 1 (0.03%) was illegal street racing. The top three provinces with the highest drunk driving cases were Chiang Mai with 651 cases, Samut Prakan with 317, and Nonthaburi with 266.
The Probation Department urged the public to be vigilant about road safety, especially during the return travel after the festival. They called for strict adherence to the principle of not drinking and driving to help reduce accidents, enhance safety, and ensure smooth and secure travel throughout the Songkran festival.