Col Sirichan said of the 1,740 arrested for drink-driving from April 9-10, 1,540 were charged with reckless driving and 174 had their driver’s licence confiscated.
Officials temporarily impounded 28 vehicles – 25 motorcycles and three cars – from drunk drivers.
The checkpoints – manned by soldiers, police and civilians – have been instructed to strictly enforce the NCPO’s policy to arrest drink-drivers and impound vehicles as deemed necessary to prevent and reduce road accidents during the Songkran holiday period, she said.
The Songkran Festival holiday is officially April 13-15 this year, followed by a weekend, but many people take a few days extra leave to enjoy an extended vacation.
Meanwhile, police arrested 20,172 suspects wanted under 42,915 arrest warrants nationwide from April 1 to 10, in a drive to curb crime over Songkran.
Deputy national police chief Winai Thongsong said today that those apprehended were wanted mainly for theft, embezzlement, fraud, drug offences or assault.
The largest number of the warrants, 13,484, were issued in Bangkok, followed by 11,899 arrest warrants issued by courts in other Central Plain provinces.
“Police arrests of suspects in crimes against people and property will help prevent these people doing it again during the Songkran Festival, and reduce the amount of drugs in major urban areas,” Gen Winai said.
He asked people to report crimes or suspicious activities to police at local stations or by using the hotline phone numbers 191 and 1599 around the clock.