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| Thailand drunk drivers face morgue work as punishment | Thailand drunk drivers face morgue work as punishment |
| (14 days later) | |
| Drunk drivers in Thailand could be sent to work in morgues under a new plan to cut the country's dismal road safety record, officials say. | Drunk drivers in Thailand could be sent to work in morgues under a new plan to cut the country's dismal road safety record, officials say. |
| "It is aimed to be a deterrent, a way to discourage people," police colonel Kriangdej Jantarawong said. | "It is aimed to be a deterrent, a way to discourage people," police colonel Kriangdej Jantarawong said. |
| New Year celebrations start on Wednesday, with many people travelling long distances to visit family. | New Year celebrations start on Wednesday, with many people travelling long distances to visit family. |
| About 24,000 people die each year on Thai roads, according to the World Health Organization. | About 24,000 people die each year on Thai roads, according to the World Health Organization. |
| Only Libya has a greater number of fatalities per capita from road traffic accidents. | Only Libya has a greater number of fatalities per capita from road traffic accidents. |
| The government already sends some drunk and reckless drivers to work in hospital wards, Nontajit Netpukkana of the department of probation said. | The government already sends some drunk and reckless drivers to work in hospital wards, Nontajit Netpukkana of the department of probation said. |
| But authorities decided that "the intensity" of morgue work would help give offenders a more explicit idea of the consequences of their actions, he said. | But authorities decided that "the intensity" of morgue work would help give offenders a more explicit idea of the consequences of their actions, he said. |
| The cabinet approved the plan last week. Courts will be able to decide who deserves the punishment, the Bangkok Post reports. | The cabinet approved the plan last week. Courts will be able to decide who deserves the punishment, the Bangkok Post reports. |
| Thailand's annual three-day New Year festival, known as Songkran, sees revellers throughout the country take part in water fights. | Thailand's annual three-day New Year festival, known as Songkran, sees revellers throughout the country take part in water fights. |
| The government has assured tourists that despite severe drought the event will go ahead as usual. | The government has assured tourists that despite severe drought the event will go ahead as usual. |
| Heavy drinking is common and the week of the festival is nicknamed the "Seven Deadly Days" because of a spike in road accidents. | Heavy drinking is common and the week of the festival is nicknamed the "Seven Deadly Days" because of a spike in road accidents. |
| The government earlier this year said the cars of drunk drivers could be impounded for the duration of the holiday. | The government earlier this year said the cars of drunk drivers could be impounded for the duration of the holiday. |