A total of 727 drunk drivers were placed on court-ordered probation on the first two days of the "seven dangerous days" for New Year holiday travel, according to the Justice Ministry.
Those caught driving while impaired by alcohol made up the largest segment of the 1,107 people placed on probation on Thursday and Friday, said Thawatchai Thaikeo, the ministry's deputy permanent secretary.
The remaining 380 people were found guilty of other offences including driving under the influence of drugs, reckless driving and speed limit violations, he said.
All those subject to court orders must report to probation officials and perform community service, such as helping to take care of traffic accident victims at hospitals. If they fail to comply, the courts would order other kinds of punishment, Mr Thawatchai said.
The highest number of drink-driving cases in the two-day period was reported in Bangkok with 70, followed by 48 in Surin, 45 in Maha Sarakham, 36 in Nonthaburi and 24 in Chachoengsao province.
Overall road deaths in the first two days of the seven-day period were down by 20% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Alcohol was a factor in 42% of the 576 accidents reported on Friday.
