PATTAYA, Thailand – Thai police have reported 2,617 drunk driving offenses on the first day of the Songkran 2026 holiday period, as authorities ramp up nationwide traffic enforcement and road safety measures during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
Senior police officials said April 10 marked the beginning of the extended holiday travel surge, with large numbers of people heading to provincial areas and tourist destinations, resulting in heavy traffic on major routes across the country.
Authorities have deployed traffic police and highway patrol units to ease congestion, particularly at bottlenecks and key highways. Special reversible lanes have also been introduced in high-traffic areas to improve flow and reduce travel times.
At the same time, strict law enforcement measures are being implemented alongside traffic management. Police are focusing on high-risk behaviors, including drunk driving, speeding, failure to wear helmets, and not using seatbelts.
Of the 2,617 drunk driving cases recorded, 26 involved repeat offenders, who will face stricter legal penalties and court prosecution. In total, authorities recorded 67,803 violations across the “10 major traffic offenses” category.
The top three violations were:
Not wearing helmets: 15,994 cases
Speeding: 13,450 cases
Not wearing seatbelts: 3,809 cases
Officials warned that reduced traffic in Bangkok during the holiday period often leads to increased speeding, raising the risk of accidents. Motorists are urged to remain cautious and strictly follow traffic laws.
Police also advised travelers to plan journeys in advance, check vehicle conditions, and drive responsibly to ensure safe arrivals during the festive period.
For assistance, the public can contact traffic police hotline 1197, highway police 1193, or national police hotlines 191 and 1599, available 24 hours. (TNA)
