SONGKRAN
Govt 'has authority' to ban alcohol sales
- Published: 27/03/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
The government has the authority to ban alcohol sales during the Songkran festival next month, the Council of State says.
The government's legal arm said the proposed ban on alcohol sales was not in conflict with an announcement issued by the ruling National Executive Council (NEC) in 1972.
The ban could be issued under the 2008 Alcohol Beverage Control Act and not contravene the 253rd announcement of the NEC, Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbode said.
The 253rd announcement states that any regulation on alcohol sales must comply with the announcement.
Under the Alcoholic Drink Control Act of 2008, the government can ban alcohol sales on specific days.
The National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, earlier this week asked the Council of State to rule on a ban as it was concerned the two laws were in conflict.
The PM's Office could now go ahead and issue the ban immediately, Mr Manit said.
The committee is expected to reach a clear resolution on the ban soon.
The Public Health Ministry has proposed two options for an alcohol ban during the Songkran festival, which lasts from April 12 to 14, in a bid to curb the annual road carnage.
One calls for a halt to sales altogether from midnight on April 11 to midnight on April 14. The other softer option is to allow licensed restaurants and entertainment venues to serve alcohol from 6pm to midnight during the three-day period.
The National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control initially proposed banning sales only on April 13, the first day of the holiday, and was awaiting the Council of State's ruling.
The ban was opposed by the majority of members attending an earlier meeting of the government's alcohol policy committee, Mr Manit said.
