An anti-drunk driving group is urging the government to ban sales of alcoholic beverages on Oct 26 in honour of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Jetsada Yamsabai, a core member of the Bangkok-based group, yesterday led a group of 30 victims of drunk-driving incidents to Government House to lodge a petition calling for the ban on alcohol sales on the day of the royal cremation ceremony.
The petition was addressed to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in his capacity as chairman of the national committee on policy governing alcoholic beverages.
In the petition, the group call on the government to issue an order under the Prime Minister's Office to prohibit the sales of alcohol nationwide from midnight on Oct 25 for a period of 24 hours.
The petition was accepted by Rawiwan Boonsirithammachai, an official attached to the Prime Minister's Office.
Mr Jetsada said the proposal was introduced in honour of the late monarch. He expressed confidence that retailers and manufacturers would co-operate.
He pointed out that sales of alcoholic drinks are normally banned on religious holidays and election days.
"Oct 26 is a historic day for the entire nation. The Thai people should collect themselves and steer clear of alcohol, which would help reduce road accidents and violence associated with drinking in honour of the late monarch.
"We believe the public will support this initiative," he said.
Thanapong Jinvong, programme manager of the Road Safety Group Thailand, said he agreed as many people are expected to travel to and from Bangkok during the period.
Some 40 people die every day in road accidents in the nation, a quarter of which are caused by drunk-drivers, the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation said.
The foundation said it expects this number to rise unless new measures are introduced.
Mr Thanapong said that on days when alcoholic drinks are prohibited the death rate drops below 40.
During the three months of Buddhist lent about 100 fewer deaths are recorded on Thailand's roads compared to other quarterly periods, he said.