Pattaya locals question drink-driving checks during Songkran
As Pattaya soldiers on with its Songkran celebrations, locals are raising doubts about the effectiveness of alcohol checkpoints in curbing drunk driving and road accidents.
Local police have ramped up road safety measures during the annual 7 Dangerous Days campaign, including more checkpoints and alcohol breath tests. But residents are sceptical.
Popular sentiment is the same, locals claim regulating drink driving remains a monumental task as the festive atmosphere of Songkran makes it nearly impossible to control alcohol-fuelled behaviour.
Despite the police presence, many question whether roadside checks alone can truly prevent accidents during a festival known for its non-stop parties and heavy drinking.
Songkran, Thailand’s most iconic celebration, often sees crowds flooding the streets, where alcohol is freely consumed from morning until night. With thousands celebrating Songkran across Pattaya, the sheer scale of activity makes enforcement difficult.
Critics argue the strategy targets only those caught in the act, while many drunk drivers may simply dodge checkpoints by travelling late or using back roads.
Some are calling for a broader strategy. Suggestions include increased public awareness campaigns, a greater police presence in nightlife areas, and the promotion of safe transport options like ride-hailing apps to discourage people from getting behind the wheel after drinking.
While alcohol checkpoints may deter some, many Pattaya locals feel they’re just one piece of a larger puzzle, reported The Pattaya Mail.
In related news, the Department of Probation reports a continued high number of drink-driving cases during the Songkran festival, with over 1,300 cases recorded in the first two days.
On April 13, the second day of stricter measures, 1,037 new probation cases were reported. Of these, 982 were for drink-driving (94.70%), with three individuals ordered to wear electronic monitoring devices.
In other Songkran news, viral videos from Songkran celebrations in Bangsaen and Nakhon Ratchasima, depicting scantily-clad influencers and a topless dancer, have ignited an online controversy and prompted a police investigation into potential indecency charges.
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