The Thai government has tightened regulations on drunk driving, introducing revised blood-alcohol limits and expanded testing methods for different age groups. Officially published in the Royal Gazette, the new rules permit the use of breathalyzer, urine, and blood tests for drivers under 20, those with provisional licenses, and drivers over 50, aiming to curb alcohol-related accidents.
Under these changes, the legal blood-alcohol content (BAC) limit is set at 20 milligrams per deciliter for drivers under 20, provisional license holders, and individuals driving without a valid license. For drivers aged 50 and above, the limit is 50 milligrams per deciliter. The regulations also lay out clear procedures for the collection of urine and blood samples, comparing results against the updated legal BAC thresholds.
These new measures amend the Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979), replacing previous guidelines issued in 1994 and 2017. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin signed the amendments on September 3, with the changes officially taking effect on September 20.
As road safety remains a critical issue in Thailand, the implementation of more rigorous testing methods and age-specific alcohol limits represents a significant step towards enhancing enforcement of drunk driving laws. These efforts are expected to mitigate the number of accidents involving impaired drivers and improve overall public safety.
In a final statement, the government underscored its commitment to reducing road fatalities, particularly during high-risk periods such as holidays and festivals, when drunk driving incidents tend to spike.
