A ban on the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages in state enterprise and government offices is now in effect, Saman Futrakul, director of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Office of the Disease Control Department, said on Thursday.
Dr Saman said a Prime Minister's Office announcement on the ban was published in the Royal Gazette yesterday and takes effect from Aug 23.
As a result, sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks inside installations of all state enterprises including the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, Government Lottery Office, Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Port Authority of Thailand and others are now prohibited.
Violators are liable to six months imprisonment and a fine of not more than 10,000 baht or both.
Dr Saman said the PM's Office announcement followed two other similar announcements.
The first which took effect from Aug 8 bans consumption of alcohol while driving or riding in vehicles using public roads except trains.
The second which bans drinking and sales of alcohol in factories was published in the Royal Gazette on Aug 7. This announcement, however, is effective 90 days after publication to allow all factories to prepare to comply with the ban, Dr Saman said.