Bangkok: The Department of Probation has announced the outcomes of the 7-day New Year's intensive probation enforcement campaign, reporting a total of 4,794 cases, marking a decrease of more than 28% compared to the previous year. Efforts are focused on rehabilitating offenders and mitigating the risk of repeat offenses.
According to Thai News Agency, Police Lieutenant Colonel Piya Raksakul, Director-General of the Department of Probation, disclosed the breakdown of cases during the "7-Day Intensive New Year Probation Period 2026" as of January 5, 2026. On the final day of the intensified enforcement measures, 858 cases were noted, predominantly involving driving under the influence of alcohol, which accounted for 93.24% of cases, followed by drug-related offenses and reckless driving.
Over the entire 7-day period, from December 30, 2025, to January 5, 2026, the total number of cases reached 4,794. A significant portion of these involved driving under the influence of alcohol, totaling 4,531 cases. Comparatively, last year's statistics for the same period included 6,317 drunk driving cases, indicating a notable reduction of 1,786 cases or 28.27%.
The provinces with the highest incidences of drunk driving were Nonthaburi with 348 cases, Bangkok with 321 cases, and Samut Prakan with 250 cases. Throughout the enforcement period, probation offices across the nation offered various forms of support, including the distribution of drinking water and other amenities, while also facilitating traffic at numerous service and checkpoint locations. The initiative engaged participation from probation volunteers, probationers, partner networks, and the public, totaling 3,043 individuals. Additionally, driving behavior was monitored via CCTV for real-time observation.
The Director-General emphasized that the Department of Probation is committed to the systematic rehabilitation and behavioral modification of offenders. Those convicted of drunk driving are required to undergo alcohol consumption screening and, if deemed high-risk, will be directed to seek treatment at Ministry of Public Health-affiliated medical facilities to prevent future offenses. Moreover, probationers must comply with strict conditions, including regular reporting to probation officers and involvement in community service activities that promote awareness about the consequences of drunk driving. Non-compliance may result in legal actions, including the enforcement of suspended prison sentences, as part of efforts to enhance societal safety sustainably.