The Director-General of the Department of Probation revealed that on the first day of the 2026 Songkran Festival probation period, there were 353 drunk driving cases. Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan, and Bangkok ranked as the top three provinces with the highest statistics.
On 11 April 2026, Lt. Col. Piya Raksakul, Director-General of the Department of Probation, disclosed statistics of cases ordered by the court into probation on the first day, 10 April, during the campaign to prevent and reduce road accidents over the 2026 Songkran Festival. A total of 436 cases entered the probation process, comprising 353 drunk driving cases, representing 81%; 3 reckless driving cases, or 0.7%; and 80 cases of driving under the influence of drugs, accounting for 18.3%.
The provinces with the highest number of drunk driving cases ranked first to third are Chiang Mai with 74 cases, Samut Prakan with 54, and Bangkok with 43.
The Director-General of the Department of Probation stated that the department has implemented preventive measures to reduce road accidents during the 2026 Songkran Festival under the concept “Drive Safely, Slow Down, Reduce Accidents” and “Probation Works Together to Create a Safe Society, Reduce Road Hazards” through four key measures.
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1. Enhancing public knowledge and campaigning to raise awareness about safety.
2. Reducing risk factors related to roads and promoting safe use of vehicles and roads.
3. Rehabilitation and correction of probationers convicted of drunk driving.
4. Supporting rights and assisting road accident victims.
Additionally, probation offices nationwide have continuously organized campaigns and supported road safety, such as 16 awareness-raising events on safe driving attended by 1,419 participants; support for operations at 57 community and checkpoint locations with 471 participants; probationers working with partner networks to perform community service by improving landscapes at frequent accident sites 11 times with 815 participants; blood donation at hospitals totaling 6,500 cc with 147 participants; five training sessions on traffic laws and alcohol hazards with 440 participants; and probationers monitoring driving behavior via real-time CCTV with 46 participants.
The Director-General of the Department of Probation concluded by emphasizing that road safety requires everyone's cooperation. He urged the public to follow traffic laws, reduce risky behaviors, and drive cautiously. He wished everyone safe travels back to their hometowns and for leisure during the Songkran Festival, hoping all will help create a safe society and reduce road hazards so that this year's Songkran is a joyful time for every family.