Charnchai made his intentions known yesterday ahead of the Songkran Festival, notorious for heavy traffic and a high road toll. It coincides with a campaign by state agencies to reduce car crashes.

A source at Government House confirmed the Royal Thai Police were pushing for a ban on the use of communication devices while driving - except for hands-free models. The police proposed the ban several years ago and it was approved in principle on May 2, 2000 before passing the Council of State and then the Cabinet on June 14, 2005, the source said. It had been due to go to Parliament, but there the House was dissolved.

The draft prohibits all use of communications devices that obstruct a driver's ability to control a vehicle and sets a fine for using phones while driving of Bt400 to Bt1,000. In addition there would be a charge of driving in a manner that leads to a lack of control and safety, for which the punishment is three months in jail and/or a fine of between Bt2,000 and Bt10,000.

Charnchai revealed the plan at a press conference yesterday on its drink-driving campaign, which includes a parade on Sunday from Hor Wang School to Major Cineplex Ratchayothin. The Probation Department will provide "entertainers" on probation for drunk driving plus others serving jail terms.

As many holiday road accidents involve young bikers, Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Phakdithanakul said he would suggest the Transport Ministry gets tougher on issuing motorcycle licences to anyone under 15.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation yesterday launched a travelling caravan which will tour under the name "Victims Stop Victims: Unity towards a Safe Songkran".

Starting out from City Hall, it will travel 5,000 kilometres to promote road safety in Bangkok and 10 provinces that have high holiday road tolls: Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla.

The foundation's secretary-general Dr Thaejing Siripanit said the seven days of this year's Songkran Festival could see 400 deaths and 40,000 injuries, of whom about 1,200 were likely to be permanently maimed. It was also estimated that about 13,000 people would be killed in crashes involving drunk drivers this year.

Thaejing said amendments to the Land Transport Act 1979 to increase the punishment for drunk drivers and those who resist an alcohol breath test were now being scrutinised by the Council of State, after which they would go to the National Legislative Assembly.

The foundation will get 500 victims of drink-driving incidents to assist police at 100 checkpoints around the country over Songkran.

Deputy city clerk Ratthapol Meethanathavorn said municipal officials would assist traffic police to handle traffic flow and watch for road accidents during the holiday.

Checkpoints would be set up at transport hubs from April 11 on and related agencies would also provide city motorists with vehicle checks and repairs.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, a caravan of 300 motorbikes was set off to encourage people to observe traffic laws and buy accident insurance before they go home.