The driving licences and vehicles of motorists caught driving while drunk during the New Year holidays will be temporarily seized in a repeat of road safety measures introduced last year.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the measures will be strictly enforced against motorists nabbed under the influence of alcohol to curb road accidents.
These measures will cause some inconvenience but strict enforcement is necessary to keep the public safe, he said.
He was speaking following a meeting to discuss holiday security preparations with state agencies. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr, Supreme Commander Surapong Suwant-at and army commander Chalermchai Sitthisat.
The measures were introduced last year to curb road accidents during the New Year break.
A total of 4,052 vehicles including 3,032 motorcycles were seized from drink-drivers between Dec 25 last year and Jan 3 of this year, according to a National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) report.
On the New Year celebrations, Gen Prawit said two major events are planned in Bangkok -- a countdown at Ratchaprasong intersection and praying at Sanam Luang.
He said troops will work closely with police and state agencies to improve public safety and help with traffic management to assist motorists as much as possible.
The army chief, who serves as the NCPO's secretary-general, is in of charge of the arrangements and enforcement, Gen Prawit said.
Deputy police spokesman, Pol Col Kritsana Pattanacharoen, said the national police chief has ordered a nationwide crackdown on crime during Dec 22-31.
The Special Branch Police and Immigration Bureau have been put on high alert and are working with Interpol in screening visitors entering the country, he said.
Checkpoints will be set up throughout the country targeting drug or contraband goods smuggling during the holiday. Night entertainment venues will also be checked for underage customers and opening hours, he said.
Provincial officials are also gearing up for the New Year holiday with the aim of reducing road deaths and property damage.
In Kanchanaburi, officials and police will enforce a seven-day road safety campaign from Dec 29 to Jan 4 next year.