Booze-free zones on radar for New Year

Booze-free zones on radar for New Year

Activists have called on the government to strictly observe regulations in designated alcohol-free zones during the upcoming New Year festivities, warning that entertainment venues and commercial centres could flout the rules and keep selling booze unless authorities clamp down.

Representatives from several Thai universities and alcohol-watch organisations met yesterday at a seminar in Bangkok to discuss the potential harm of selling alcohol near schools and universities.

Thitichai Dungklang, a student activist with the Youth Network against New Drinkers, pointed to the newly-opened Central Plaza Nakhon Ratchasima's plans to open a beer garden in December.

He said the mall cannot legally distribute alcohol as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said in July 2015 that new businesses in alcohol-free zones, which are located near schools and other institutes of education, are prohibited from applying for such licences.

However, the NCPO's order lets those who received alcohol-distribution licences prior to the 2015 announcement continue to sell alcohol and request extensions.

Those licences can also be revoked if they "cause any inconvenience towards children, adolescents and university students", the order says.

Central Plaza Nakhon Ratchasima opened early this month in an area declared an alcohol-free zone.

Mr Thitichai, who campaigned to cancel the mall's proposed beer garden this month, said yesterday the new commercial centre should be a "safe area for Korat's youth". Korat is another Thai name for the province.

"People need to understand the effects of selling alcohol to students, as the sellers may think it is harmless," he said.

"Even small, local shops that sell beverages can contribute to alcohol abuse, which can lead to students being suspended or even expelled, depending on their academic performance."

A public relations official from Central Pattana Plc, which operates the mall, said executives have met to address the issue and its scheduled New Year celebratory event might be alcohol-free.

It will make a decision on the matter today, she added.

Those caught distributing alcohol in alcohol-free zones without a licence can face a jail term of up to one year or/and a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, according to Arkhom Auamsomarang at the Excise Department.

The 7-Eleven stop started serving draft beer at its Bangkok stores recently until a backlash against booze being too readily available foced it to abandon the idea.

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