The Public Health Ministry has set aside 7 million baht to fund blood alcohol testing on those suspected of being involved in accidents due to excess alcohol over Songkran.
The bar was also lowered on the legally acceptable level of blood alcohol for motorists, from the current 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to no higher than 20mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
If a driver found to have exceeded the limit is under 20 year of age, police would also trace the establishment that sold them the alcohol and would charge the shop owner with selling alcohol to an underage person.
Health officials will conduct a blood alcohol test on a case-by-case basis with samples sent to the Department of Medical Sciences.
Meanwhile, Klong Luang police in Pathum Thani arrested the driver of a Bangkok-Lop Buri public transport van on Tuesday for drunk driving. The breathalyser estimated his blood alcohol level was 224mg per 100 ml of blood.
Somsak Worachet, 51, had many passengers on board the van when he was arrested at a police checkpoint on Paholyothin Road in Tambon Klong Neung, deputy traffic police inspector, Pol Captain Kongsakul Phuthon, said.
The new limit equates to about one large beer, less than half the previous one. It is expected that the previous limit of 50mg of alcohol to 100 ml of blood will return after Songkran.
(Source: The Nation, Thailand)