ALCOHOL CONTROLS
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Public Health Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has abruptly scrapped his much-publicised idea of banning the sale and drinking of alcohol over the New Year holidays, saying it could hurt the tourism industry.
The minister yesterday said he did not want to ban alcoholic drinks during the festive season for fear it would face fierce opposition, especially from tourism entrepreneurs and foreign tourists.
Mr Chalerm announced right after taking office late last month that he would prioritise banning alcohol sales during festivals and religious holidays as he did when he was interior minister.
Drinking alcohol not only poses a health hazard but also causes family problems and crime, said Mr Chalerm.
The minister asked health officials to conduct a survey on how people viewed his anti-drinking initiative.
According to a survey of 10,000 respondents in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces, 83.25% agreed with the anti-alcohol policy since alcohol was the main cause of road accidents. Only 7.39% disagreed with the policy saying it could not solve the problem and that it infringed on individual rights.
The survey also showed that over half of respondents wanted a ban on alcohol sales throughout the holidays and that the government should have implemented the policy a long time ago.
Mr Chalerm aimed to ban alcohol sales on religious holidays, starting from the Songkran Festival in April next year although he accepted his anti-alcohol policy might not be completely effective.
"We can only ban sales during long weekends but may not be able to stop people from drinking or stockpiling alcohol before the ban period. Therefore I have to tackle alcohol issue step by step," he said, adding that he would focus on the alcohol sales ban only on religious days first.
Health activists have pressed the health minister and government to come up with concrete initiatives to curb the drinking of alcohol among Thais. Although the Alcohol Control Act came into effect on Feb 14, it has not been enforced.
None of the related laws had been approved yet by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, as chairman of the national committee on alcohol policy, to regulate alcohol sales and consumption.
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