Wanchai Roujanavong, director-general of the Department of Probation, said 4,751 drivers were charged over the holiday period - 3,445 in the provinces and 1,306 in Bangkok. The number is an increase of 40 per cent on last year.

Wanchai said the higher figure was because of more efficient breathalysers. He predicted the number to drop as fewer people take the risk of driving under the influence.

Those caught face punishments such as social programmes to warn people about the dangers of drunk driving.

Key bills get the nod

The government yesterday approved two key bills amending several major conditions in the Civil and Criminal codes.

The bill amending the Civil Code allows a fiance or fiancee to demand monetary compensation from those who rape or have sex with their partners, or even from those trying to do so.

Another amendment allows those whose spouses are having an affair to demand money from the lover.

The bill amending the Criminal Code imposes criminal penalties on women who rape or sexually molest men - a condition unprecedented in Thai law - while subjecting sex offenders,

paedophiles and pimps to much heavier penalties.