Bangkok: Police are coordinating all sectors to fully manage traffic nationwide, emphasizing "Don't drink and drive." 2,617 offenders were found on the first day.
According to Thai News Agency, Police General Samran Nuanma, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Center during the Songkran Festival 2026, along with Police General Somprasong Yenthuam, Special Advisor to the Royal Thai Police, revealed that today marks the start of the long Songkran holiday period. A large number of people are traveling back to their hometowns and going on vacation, resulting in heavy traffic on many routes.
The authorities have instructed traffic police and highway police to expedite traffic flow on congested routes, especially at bottlenecks and major roads with high traffic volume. They are also set to open additional reversible lanes as needed, depending on traffic conditions at different times, to improve travel flow and reduce travel time for the public. Furthermore, the personnel have been mobilized to provide assistance and ensure that people can reach their destinations safely along their routes.
Instructions were given to enforce traffic laws while simultaneously facilitating traffic flow, with a focus on preventing accidents caused by risky behaviors such as drunk driving, speeding, not wearing helmets, and not wearing seatbelts. As of April 10, 2026, there were 2,617 cases of drunk driving prosecuted. Of these, 26 were found to be repeat offenders, who will face higher penalties as stipulated by law. Furthermore, law enforcement statistics for the 10 main offenses totaled 67,803 cases. The top three offenses were: not wearing a helmet (15,994 cases), speeding (13,450 cases), and not wearing a seatbelt (3,809 cases).
These statistics reflect the need for collaborative efforts to reduce risky behaviors and intensify road safety efforts, especially in Bangkok where reduced traffic volume has led drivers to increase speeds. Therefore, the public is urged to exercise greater caution and strictly adhere to traffic laws.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Nithithorn Chintakanon, Commander of the Traffic Police Education Division and head of the working group to enhance the image of traffic police at the Traffic Management Center of the Royal Thai Police, stated that the Traffic Management Center requests cooperation from road users to plan their journeys in advance, check their vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy, drive carefully, respect traffic laws, and be considerate to fellow road users for their own safety and the safety of their loved ones. This is to ensure a safe travel experience during the Songkran festival and allow everyone to return to spend time with their families happily.
If the public needs to inquire about routes, report incidents, or request assistance, they can contact the Traffic Police Division hotline at 1197, the Highway Police hotline at 1193, or the Royal Thai Police hotlines at 191 and 1599, 24 hours a day.