Drive Drunk, Lose Your Car: Thailand’s prosecutors crack down with new legal weapon to seize vehicles from dangerous drivers. PATTAYA, Thailand – Pattaya is pushing the envelope on road safety with a new wave of tougher legal enforcement and high-tech surveillance, as Thailand’s judiciary and local government respond to growing public concern about traffic accidents and drunk driving in tourist-heavy areas. On June 11, a groundbreaking directive from the Office of the Attorney General came into effect, introducing stricter prosecution protocols for drunk driving offenses. Under the new policy, if a suspect’s behavior is deemed reckless or shows disregard for public safety, prosecutors are now instructed to seek court orders for vehicle forfeiture as part of the criminal penalty — even if the suspect doesn’t yet face that specific charge. The measure is rooted in Section 43(8) of the Traffic Act, which penalizes driving that causes danger or public disturbance. “This new guideline is designed to address the escalating danger and loss of life caused by drunk driving,” said Kosonwat Inthujanyong, Director-General of the Office of Legal Aid and Enforcement. “It is not just about jail time or fines anymore — it’s about taking away the means to reoffend.” Just a day before the directive, at 3:30 AM on June 10, a dramatic reminder of the issue unfolded in Pattaya. Ms. Supaporn, a 28-year-old from Rayong, crashed her white Toyota Yaris into a construction camp inside the Runway Market area on Pattaya Second Road. She admitted to having partied at Walking Street before attempting to drive back to Rayong. The vehicle plowed into PVC pipes, cement poles, wooden scaffolding, and tiles, leaving the scene strewn with debris. She was clearly intoxicated, and police detained her for breath alcohol testing. Rayong woman’s drunken crash in Pattaya fuels debate over harsh new penalties – public says ‘Seize It All’. News of the tougher drunk driving policy sparked a flurry of public comments on social media. Some expressed approval: -Just seize the car and let them continue the loan payments. -Great! Take the car and make the payments yourself. Others took a more cynical tone: -What if the officer is the one drunk? What will you confiscate then? -Why stop at the car? Confiscate the house and land too. -Bars are doomed. Get ready. But tough laws aren’t Pattaya’s only strategy. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet recently confirmed a joint initiative between Pattaya City and Provincial Police Region 2 to make the city a smart surveillance pioneer. With nearly 2,500 CCTV cameras already operating on both the mainland and Koh Larn, Pattaya is now preparing to integrate AI-powered facial recognition and license plate scanning, linking data to the national law enforcement database. The AI-enhanced system — modeled after what’s already in use at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) — will allow real-time identification of wanted suspects and repeat offenders. A joint task force made up of Pattaya City, Pattaya Police, and CIB will manage the rollout. Pattaya Steps Up: City becomes pilot zone for AI-linked CCTV network to boost road safety and track offenders. Installation of the upgraded surveillance system is set to finish by the end of June 2025, focusing on high-traffic areas and tourist zones. Officers will monitor the live feeds locally, ready to respond instantly to any flagged activity. With legal reform now backed by smart technology, Pattaya’s approach could signal a turning point for road safety in Thailand. For a city that welcomes millions of tourists annually, many of whom party late into the night, the message is clear: Drive drunk and you may lose your car — and your freedom. And with more eyes watching — not just human, but artificial — the days of getting away with reckless driving in Pattaya may finally be numbered. ‘No More Excuses’: Pattaya Mayor and police launch 3-way task force to make roads safer with high-tech surveillance.