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BANGKOK: Thailand's Songkran holiday is best known as a joyous water festival to usher in the New Year. But it is also a dangerous time as thousands have lost their lives to drink driving.
In 2008, over 30,000 Thais were killed or injured during Songkran in road accidents involving alcohol. In the space of just four hours, 5,000 people were killed or hurt – a staggering and heartbreaking statistic.
This year, there is yet another attempt to stop this senseless loss of lives. The Health Ministry looks set to ban alcohol sales in convenience stores during the three main days of the festival.
But advocacy groups said the ban, which has been imposed before, is likely to have little success.
Patharapan Kritssana, president, Victims Against Drunken Driving Network, said: "Thais know it's dangerous to drink and drive, but they think they have no choice. Taking a taxi or having a friend pick them up are options that are somehow ignored. Even people who have experienced first hand the tragedy of drink driving still choose to do it."
Supermarkets and big retailers will not be allowed to sell alcohol three days leading up to the Songkran Festival to prevent people from stocking up.
Smaller shops are also banned from selling alcohol during the festival, but surveys showed that last year, nearly 60 per cent of shop owners violated the law.
Somchai Saelim, a store owner, said: "People will still drink alcohol as usual. I'll probably be sneaky and sell as well. I'll partially close the door of my shop. People in the neighbourhood will know I am still selling, but I won't do it in a blatant way."
And since the ban does not include licensed bars, hotels and restaurants, revellers will have normal access to booze, with nothing to stop them from getting behind the wheel.
Experts said tougher penalties for drink driving, along with increased awareness, will be more effective in this case if authorities are really serious about tackling the problem.
- CNA/so
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