Booze-free villagers celebrate new lives at Lent

Booze-free villagers celebrate new lives at Lent

Former binge drinker Oon Changkong smiles in front of a poster bearing his image aimed at raising awareness of the health hazards of alcohol. (Photo by Chinawat Singha)
Former binge drinker Oon Changkong smiles in front of a poster bearing his image aimed at raising awareness of the health hazards of alcohol. (Photo by Chinawat Singha)

No wives and children probably feel prouder of their breadwinners than those in Phitsanulok province village where nearly 60 family men accomplish the same goal: They stopped drinking alcohol.

The sight of husbands sitting around every night and getting extremely drunk was a common at Ban Hua Tae in tambon Ban Krang until the village launched an anti-drinking campaign four years ago.

Back then, there were as many as 70 binge drinkers and those on the verge of becoming alcoholics in the Muang district town. But after the campaign, 58 have kicked the booze habit and became people their families could be proud of.

Manoj Charngpinit, the 43-year-old chief of Ban Hua Tae village who initiated the campaign, said he previously saw men drink every night, even on Buddhist holidays. Each month, three or four men died due to heavy drinking, he said.

Many of them had arguments with their wives, failed to work and caused financial problems for their families due to money wasted on drinking.

Mr Manoj said he and local monks decided to launch a campaign in 2011 and invite men to stop drinking for three months during Buddhist Lent. The participants were encouraged to continue to stay off liquor after Lent ended.

Only eight men joined the programme the first year, he said. The number of participants rose to 58 as of this year's Buddhist Lent, which starts Friday.

On Wednesday, the community was given an award from a representative of the Supreme Patriarch as a model village for campaigning against alcohol use during Lent.       

Oon Changkong, 49, one of the first eight participants in the programme, said he started drinking when he was 17.

"I previously drank every day and my wife reprimanded me regularly. The money I earned was spent on buying booze," Mr Oon said. "After I quit, I could save money and stay healthier. Now I know I've wasted a lot of my life drinking. I shouldn't have done that."

Wanja Sempoon, 55, previously known as Ja Kee Lao, said he always drank with his wife until she got sick and died of alcohol-related diseases. Kee Lao is Thai for binge drinker. 

"I felt sorry for the loss and the family had no income, so I decided to quit drinking permanently," Mr Wanja said. "I do basketry for a living and sell them at the market. I now have some savings."

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