Bangkok: Legal cases protecting rights do not stop during Songkran; a warning is issued that drunk driving cases are 22 times higher during the festival than at other times. The spokesperson for the Court of Justice warns that drunk driving cases during the festival are not slowing down, nearing 20,000 cases. "Drive safely, let's create a culture of safe driving."
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriyan Hongvilai, spokesperson for the Judiciary, addressed the case management and public services provided by the courts during the long Songkran holiday period. He stated that the courts will remain open for adjournment, detention, receiving and transferring those arrested under warrants, considering requests for search warrants, arrest warrants, release warrants, and bail applications, accepting fines in criminal cases, and other matters related to the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms. This includes hearing and adjudicating cases involving drunk driving and violations of the Land Traffic Act in district and provincial courts nationwide. Furthermore, the judiciary offers an online system for citizens to submit bail applications via Judges in the courts of first instance, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court will review and issue orders during the holiday period.
Statistics on violations of the Land Traffic Act that reached the court of first instance during the safe driving campaign and road accident prevention efforts, going back to 2025, specifically during the 7-day dangerous period of the Songkran festival, show a total of 21,343 cases under the Land Traffic Act brought before the court of first instance, averaging 3,049 cases per day. The most common offense was driving under the influence of alcohol (18,626 cases), followed by driving without a license (2,278 cases), driving under the influence of drugs (427 cases), and finally reckless or dangerous driving causing harm to persons or property (12 cases).
During normal periods of months without long holidays, between February and November 2025 (273 days), a total of 68,433 cases were brought before the courts of first instance, averaging 250 cases per day. Driving under the influence of alcohol remained the most common offense, totaling 32,941 cases. Comparing this to other periods, the number of cases under the Land Traffic Act during the 7-day Songkran festival is more than 12 times higher, and the number of driving under the influence of alcohol offenses is 22 times higher.
Therefore, during this long holiday period, we urge all citizens to drive cautiously, share the roads with courtesy, and refrain from violating traffic laws. Let's work together to create a culture of safe driving.