Alcohol-free days sought

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Alcohol-free days sought

  • Published: 15/06/2009 at 12:00 AM
  • Newspaper section: News

A network of monks has renewed calls for the government to declare the four most important days on the Buddhist calendar alcohol-free. Monks from many provinces including Surin, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi and Trat yesterday petitioned the National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart.

They asked the cabinet for Makha Bucha Day, Asarnha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, which are public holidays, to be declared alcohol-free days.

The network claimed Maj Gen Sanan's committee favoured the alcohol-free days, but Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had not pushed for it.

Network coordinator Phra Samu Surapong Pasannajitto said the cabinet last year agreed that Buddhist Lent Day be declared an alcohol-free day. No mention was made of the other religious days.

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  • Strong Thailand

    Discussion 3 : 15/06/2009 at 10:14 AM3

    This is absolute nonsense!
    Thailand, although a strongly Bhuddhist influenced country still remains secular! Monks duties are not to force people to do what they interpret to be right! Even the teachings of Lord Bhuddha make clear that the person must choose and decide for what it thinks is the right path.
    Preaching the middle path and then trying to prohibit something is not in the capacity of the monks.
    A Bhuddhist myself, I do not condone such action by the monks, but strongly oppose to it.
    Finally, before trying to distort of facts, temple abbots and monks should rather enforce the rules within their monasteries and have monks behave as they should, instad of drinking, chasing boys and girls and gambling in their premises......

  • roy anderson

    Discussion 2 : 15/06/2009 at 08:22 AM2

    Its about time the government told monks to stop ruining the economy by calling for bans on alcohol.
    Many tourists enjoy a social drink and banning alcohol will lead to further losses in the tourist trade and subsequent losses to struggling businesses.

  • lek

    Discussion 1 : 15/06/2009 at 07:43 AM1

    this is unwise because then they will make monks and buddhism an enemy instead of friend to many people

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