Thailand literally wants to send drunk drivers to the morgue

Drunk drivers in Thailand might be forced to face their mortality, if they don't get the message soon.

Thai authorities have recommended that offenders start adding time at hospital morgues to their community service punishment, in order to show them the consequences of drunk driving.

Currently, convicted drivers have to carry out community service such as cutting trees or cleaning streets. Some do time at hospitals looking after people injured in road accidents already, but it seems that isn't enough to drive home the message.

Nonjit Natepukka, director of the community affairs and community service division of the government, told the Bangkok Post that the number of drunk drivers caught during festive celebrations has continued to increase across first-time and repeat offenders.

In order to make a stronger statement to drunk drivers, Nonjit's agency recommended the morgue time to the cabinet last week, and is waiting for approval. In the meantime, government officials have already briefed public hospitals in preparation.

Thailand has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world -- highest in Asia, and second globally, with road accidents making up 5.1% of all deaths in the country, according to World Health Organization statistics.

Drunk driving is the cause of 26% of road deaths, WHO says.

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