BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s Probation Department reported a sharp rise in drunk-driving cases during Songkran 2026 and urged strict compliance with the “Don’t drink and drive” rule, especially as holidaymakers returned to Bangkok.
Agency warns about return traffic to Bangkok
On 15 April 2026, the Probation Department said it was particularly concerned in the final phase of the Songkran festival about the gradual return of large numbers of people to Bangkok.
The agency announced that it would pool cooperation with partner networks nationwide and continue road safety measures at roadsides and public service points.
Intensive measures under the “Drive safely” campaign
Director-General R.AT.A. Opiya Raksakul stated that probation offices across the country had been instructed to implement intensive measures to prevent road accidents.
These measures were carried out under the concept “Drive safely, reduce speed, reduce accidents”, guided by the idea that probation services should help build a safer society.
Community service and education at 18 service points
According to the agency, probation requirements were used to involve offenders in social services and to support the deployment of officers at public service points.
A total of 357 people took part in activities at 18 service points, including a training session on traffic law and the dangers of alcohol consumption in road traffic.
Goal: Change risky behavior and cut accidents
In addition, 24 participants were included in awareness-raising measures aimed at sustainably changing risky behavior.
The main goal was to ensure safe journeys home and back to work, reduce the consequences of accidents and strengthen long-term traffic discipline in society.
Daily figures for 14 April: 667 probation cases
For 14 April 2026, the Probation Department reported a total of 667 cases in which courts imposed probation, even though courts in many areas had been closed.
Of these, 650 cases (97.5 percent) involved drunk driving and 17 cases (2.5 percent) involved drug-impaired driving.
Five-day tally: 3,961 cases, 3,726 for alcohol at the wheel
In the cumulative statistics for the five days from 10 to 14 April 2026, a total of 3,961 cases were recorded.
These included 3,726 drunk-driving cases (94.07 percent), 230 drug-driving cases (5.8 percent), four cases of careless driving (0.1 percent) and one other driving-related case (0.03 percent).
Top three provinces for drunk-driving cases
The highest numbers of drunk-driving cases were recorded in Chiang Mai (651 cases), Samut Prakan (317 cases) and Nonthaburi (266 cases).
Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi were highlighted as key outer provinces in the greater Bangkok area, reinforcing concerns about increased return traffic.
Appeal: Strictly follow “Don’t drink and drive”
The Probation Department called on travelers to be particularly attentive on the way back after the festival and to put road safety first.
“Don’t drink and drive.”
said the Probation Department, which asked for cooperation in strictly following this principle in order to reduce accidents and ensure a safe, smooth journey during Songkran.