Drink drivers made to tour hospital morgues in Thailand

Convicted drink drivers are being made to visit hospital morgues in Thailand in a bid to improve the country's dire road safety record.

Since the Thai Probation Department introduced the drastic tactic in April, more than 1,700 drink-drivers have toured morgues.

Thailand is the second worst country in the world for road deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), behind only Libya, with alcohol being a major factor.

Last year, 11,370 people were killed on the roads based on insurance figures, but the WHO puts the number far higher.

There have been a number of hard-hitting TV campaigns designed to tackle the problem, but they have made little difference.

One of the drivers who visited the morgue said the tour had left him shaken.

He said: "I was frightened that I might end up like that if I continue drinking and driving."

Prasarn Mahaleetrakue, deputy director-general of the probation department, said: "After they've seen the reality of this place they won't dare to drink and drive again."