The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (THPF) is urging the government to implement stricter penalties for drunk driving and repeat offenders, in collaboration with eight partner organizations. They aim to amend current laws to create harsher punishments and introduce advanced technology, all with the goal of reducing road accidents in Thailand sustainably.
At a recent event titled “Two Years of Repeat Offenses in Drunk Driving and Law Enforcement in Thailand,” Dr. Pairoj Saonuam of the THPF highlighted the alarming figures, pointing to over 284,000 deaths or injuries related to drunk driving between 2019 and 2023. The economic impact of these incidents is estimated at 370 billion baht. Dr. Pairoj also mentioned that during the 2024 Songkran holiday, 207 drunk driving incidents were reported, further illustrating the urgency for tougher penalties.
The proposed reforms are multi-faceted. In the short term, monitoring systems for offenders would be introduced. In the medium term, technological advancements such as breathalyzer tests and fingerprint verification systems would be deployed. Long-term recommendations focus on amending legal frameworks to impose harsher penalties based on the offender’s blood alcohol content.
In support of these efforts, Mr. Surasit Silpongam, representing the Don’t Drink and Drive Foundation, pointed out the rising number of victims affected by drunk driving. Additionally, Dr. Chanin Chakkraphayotin proposed the use of Alcohol Interlock devices to prevent intoxicated individuals from starting their vehicles.
From a law enforcement perspective, Major Pote Thapnadul of the Royal Thai Police emphasized the need for improved enforcement tools to enhance road safety. Meanwhile, Mr. Kosolwat Intujunyong from the Attorney General’s Office expressed his commitment to ensuring that victims receive justice and called for transparent processes to prevent repeat offenders from evading legal consequences.
The call for reform comes amid increasing awareness of the need for more stringent measures to address Thailand’s ongoing drunk driving problem. The coalition believes that these proposals could lead to a significant reduction in road accidents and enhance public safety.
