The period is dubbed “The Seven Dangerous Days”. A huge number of New Year holiday-makers usually take to the roads, many drunk, and the road toll spikes alarmingly.

The annual road carnage mirrors another “Seven Dangerous Days” period during Songkran.

Measures to deter drivers from drinking were discussed at the National Council for Peace and Order’s (NCPO) meeting yesterday.

NCPO deputy spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Nga-thong announced after the meeting that the force behind keeping public order would join hands with police, administrative officials and volunteers in manning checkpoints both on main and secondary roads during the New Year period.

“Drunk drivers will be arrested and their vehicles seized,” she said.

She added that the NCPO would also focus on ensuring public safety off the roads, particularly at events crowded with New Year revellers.

“We will seek cooperation from organisers in preparing proper entrance and exit points and installing security cameras,” she said.

Sirichan said organisers would also be asked to refrain from lighting fireworks or firecrackers.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Bureau plans to launch four traffic projects for the public as a New Year “gift”, according to Bureau chief Lt-General Sanit Mahathavorn.

The four projects include setting up 14 points across Bangkok for car check-ups and handing out 300-gram bags of rice to |drivers who strictly follow traffic laws.

There will also be discounts for traffic fines, while the application “Police I lert U” will be available for people to notify police of traffic accidents.