Officers from Patong Police Station set up a checkpoint near the Loma Circle at the northern end of Thaweewong Rd (the beach road) between 12:30am and 2:30am.as part of the ‘Seven Days’ campaign to enhance road safety during the Songkran holidays.
According to police, all six drivers were found to have exceeded the legal blood alcohol limit of 50 milligrams per deciliter.
The arrested individuals were reported as:
- Mr Zahir, 25, Omani national – recorded a blood alcohol level of 88 mg%
- Mr Asad, 26, Omani national – recorded 192 mg%
- Mr Ethan, 25, British national – recorded 66 mg%
- Mr Jamie, 25, British national – recorded 95 mg%
- Mr Amit, 42, Indian national – recorded 95 mg%
- Mr Jesper, 40, Danish national – recorded 80 mg%
All six were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and were taken into custody for further legal proceedings, Patong Police noted.
The operation was ordered by Patong Police Chief Pol Col Ekkasak Hirasawasdi, and coordinated by several senior officers, including Pol Lt Col Samret Surin and Pol Lt Col Chamnan Tripuysilp, along with Tourist Police and traffic control units.
Authorities reiterated that checkpoints would continue throughout the Songkran festival to deter drunk driving and prevent road accidents. They urged the public and tourists alike to celebrate responsibly and avoid putting lives at risk.
Meanwhile, Phuket Provincial Police has launched its ’You Drink, We Drive’ campaign to encourage people to use taxis instead of drunk driving.
The campaign poster includes QR codes for people to quickly access any of the major ride-hailing taxi services available on the island. (See image gallery.)