Two Prime Minister's Office announcements - one banning drinking of alcoholic beverages in vehicles and the other banning sales and drinking of alcohol in factories - have been published in the Royal Gazette and were effective from today, Aug 8.
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The two announcements were issued under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2008.
Jadet Chaowilai, adviser of the Network of People Affected by Alcoholic Drinks, thanked Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for issuing the two laws which hopefully will reduce the number of deaths, injuries and disabilities as a result of drinking alcohol.
On average, about 30 people are killed in road accidents every day and the figure rises to 50 to 60 people every day during the New Year and Songkran festivals because of alcohol, he said.
Despite the high damage caused by alcoholic drinks the companies that produce them do not have to take any responsibility, Mr Jadet said.
What is worse, many non-drinkers are killed or disabled as a result of other people abusing alcohol, he added.
Mr Jadet said the new laws will also improve safety in factories.