Heavy traffic on major provincial roads was reported across the country as the annual "Seven Dangerous Days" of Songkran kicked off yesterday.
Reports from Khon Kaen said traffic on the northeastern stretch of Mittraphap Road worsened. A line of vehicles stretching more than 10 kilometres was seen from Tha Phra sub-district to the Khon Kaen municipal area around 9.30am.
Muang district chief Chatchai Uncharoen said yesterday a 24-hour rest area has been established in Tha Phra for tired drivers as a safety precaution.
"Mittraphap Road and the outer ring road around Khon Kaen city are accident black spots," he said. "We have been coordinating with local police, the army and other authorities to prevent drivers who have only drunk a modest amount of alcohol from driving, to decrease the likelihood of accidents."
Towards the South, reports from Prachuap Khiri Khan's Pran Buri district say congested roads leading to 14 of the country's southern provinces began building up around 9am.
Pran Buri is known to get extremely congested over Songkran since the district links to two main southern roads, which are Bypass Road Number 37 and Phetkasem Road Number 4.
Reports yesterday morning said roads heading South were backed up for several kilometres, while there was little to no traffic on inbound lanes heading to Bangkok.
On public transport, sleeper berths on provincial trains in Phitsanulok are now fully booked for Songkran, according to Saksingha Wongsanguansotsree, head of the province's ticketing office.
"Trains are absolutely packed with passengers. Although there are no more sleeper seats left, passengers can still book express train tickets" he said.
"It is likely that people have become aware of the dangers of taking provincial buses, following several reported accidents recently, and have opted for safer rail transport instead."
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith had earlier instructed all modes of public transport to take all safety precautions to curb the death toll during the Seven Dangerous Days.
Adopting the usual "7-7-7" policy, referring to heightened precautions from the seven days before, during and after Songkran, Mr Arkhom also said this year's goal is to reduce deaths and injuries by at least 7%.
Last Songkran's Seven Dangerous Days from April 11-17 recorded a total of 238 deaths, 1,599 accidents and 1,844 injuries.
Police have already begun establishing checkpoints across the country to conduct alcohol and drug tests on drivers during Songkran, according to Royal Thai Police deputy spokesman Pol Col Kritsana Pattanacharoen.
He said tests will be conducted on drivers of public transport vehicles and private cars.
"The laws are clearly written with the intention of keeping everyone safe," he said. "It is extremely irresponsible to drive carelessly with the mindset that they will just get fined if caught [while intoxicated behind the wheel]."
Bangkok Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Chiraphat Bhumichitr warned that those caught drink driving in Bangkok could lose their vehicles indefinitely.
Such cases will be at the discretion of officers manning checkpoints.
"Passengers in vehicles can also be punished for possessing alcohol as it could imply everyone in the car is drinking," Pol Maj Gen Chiraphat added.
Three provincial motorways will be toll-free from now until April 18, the Department of Highways and Expressway Authority of Thailand said.
They are Motorway Number 7 (Bangkok-Chon Buri-Pattaya), Motorway Number 9 (from Bang Pa In in Ayutthaya to Bang Phli in Samut Prakan) and the Bangna Expressway (Bangna-Chon Buri).