Poll: Banning alcohol at Songkran a good idea "to preserve beautiful Thai culture"

[webfact]

Poll: Banning alcohol at Songkran a good idea "to preserve beautiful Thai culture"

 

Picture: Thai PBS

 

Anti-alcohol activists have been buoyed by a poll and still hope to persuade the government to ban drinking on April 13th. 

 

This day is one of the main days of the traditional Thai New Year when cultural events are held. 

 

Thai PBS reported that 70.1% of respondents in a poll thought that banning alcohol on this day would help protect the beautiful Thai culture. 

 

It would also mean less road accidents, less violent arguments, less molestation and less wanton drunkenness. 

 

Those who opposed the idea said it would make Songkran less "sanuk" (fun).

 

Dr Udomsak Sae-ngow of the Center for Alcohol Studies is presenting the poll findings to a ministerial committee in an effort to get the ban approved for this year. They are set to decide on March 15th, Friday.

 

The poll also showed widespread approval for restricting hours to sell alcohol. Some 50% wanted booze not to be sold after 8 pm while 80% thought a 10 pm cutoff was reasonable. 

 

Some 66.5% of non-drinkers thought that alcohol should be banned at events and concerts. Even 31% of drinkers agreed. 

 

It was not immediately clear if the poll referred to just April 13th or other days of the year. 

 

Theera Watcharapranee of another anti-alcohol group was not sure if the ban would come in this year and suggested it may be modified and become law for next year's Songkran. 

 

Source: Thai PBS

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-03-12

[rkidlad]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

Poll: Banning alcohol at Songkran a good idea "to preserve beautiful Thai culture"

How about banning the excessive use of water. Having to tell someone you don't want water thrown over you, or having to avoid large groups of people cos all you wanna do is go to the shops without getting drenched, isn't a beautiful part of the culture. 

 

Create exclusive zones where you can throw water but can't drink or can't enter if you're deemed too intoxicated. That way you can choose. 

[seahorse]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

banning alcohol on this day would help protect the beautiful Thai culture. 

 

It would also mean less road accidents, less violent arguments, less molestation and less wanton drunkenness. 

The road accidents, violent arguments, molestation and drunkenness are part of Thai culture. 

[MARK74]

16 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

How about banning the excessive use of water. Having to tell someone you don't want water thrown over you, or having to avoid large groups of people cos all you wanna do is go to the shops without getting drenched, isn't a beautiful part of the culture. 

 

Create exclusive zones where you can throw water but can't drink or can't enter if you're deemed too intoxicated. That way you can choose. 

they already do but not many people take any notice of those rules and obviously the rules are rarely enforced. the bib don't want to get soaked by pissed up songkran revellers either 

[Chris Lawrence]

Alcohol is a factor but not the key. Its what is permitted to escalate on the day that is the problem. 

[ThomasThBKK]

If u don't like songkran, stay at home and leave the rest alone. 

 

 

Problem solved.

[sammieuk1]

Might as well ban wine altogether as the last bottle of laughing bird flew off the shelfs before no doubt reappearing at half the quantity and double the price???? 

[Felt 35]

Beautiful culture I'm not so sure about but it will at least save hundreds of lives.

[les Dennis]

I thought drink driving was part of Thai culture ! ????

[brokenbone]

heres a better idea, arm every motorcyclist with a 9mm handgun and give them license to return fire if attacked

[robblok]

18 minutes ago, Chris Lawrence said:

Alcohol is a factor but not the key. Its what is permitted to escalate on the day that is the problem. 

The problem is that alcohol makes some people aggressive and others drive with alcohol and kill people. That is not because of the alcohol as many people can handle their alcohol.

 

But often they take the easy way out banning instead of enforcing current laws. If they really want too they can put out far more alcohol checks (but the police like their holiday too). 

 

I really hate it when they ban stuff because a small (ok still big) percentage of people drinking can't handle it.

 

I am not really a drinker and hate people who drink and drive but I don't see banning alcohol as a solution. Just enforcement of current laws.

[Aussieroaming]

The beauty of chaos

[from the home of CC]

With all the findings of just how little alcohol is actually needed to impart serious adverse health effects makes me wonder why would anyone want to use this drug anymore. 

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

With all the findings of just how little alcohol is actually needed to impart serious adverse health effects makes me wonder why would anyone want to use this drug anymore. 

Its a personal choice IMHO just like other drugs IMHO are a personal choice. The problem starts when people under the influence of a drug start to operate cars and motorbikes or get agressive.

 

I have no problem with recreational users of drugs (alcohol is a drug too) as long as they don't bother or endanger others. Its their life why would it be up to us to tell people what they can't do. Unless of course they do put others at risk.

[rkidlad]

48 minutes ago, MARK74 said:

they already do but not many people take any notice of those rules and obviously the rules are rarely enforced. the bib don't want to get soaked by pissed up songkran revellers either 

And therein lies the problem. No enforcement. 

[harada]

Yep, that should scare off a few hundred thousand tourists, so they'll have plenty of room to immerse themselves in their culture.

[rkidlad]

39 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Might as well ban wine altogether as the last bottle of laughing bird flew off the shelfs before no doubt reappearing at half the quantity and double the price???? 

I noticed Laughing Bird go from 419 baht to about 560 baht in a few months. Ridiculous. 

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Banning alcohol at Songkran a good idea "to preserve beautiful Thai culture"

I saw the headline and thought it was an article about yoghurt.

 

[dcnx]

 

1 hour ago, Felt 35 said:

Beautiful culture I'm not so sure about but it will at least save hundreds of lives.

Once upon a time it was probably beautiful. But those days are long gone. 

 

Thai culture today is greed, corruption, and blind obedience to their masters.

[fraggleRock]

Sell no booze! Simple --- stock up beforehand (how thick do they think people are - 'Oh! its a ban, I won't stock up then!' - what a genius came up with this,  I bet his parents are proud as he or she must be 'Special' - pathetic, God its that simple - or go to a local 'jungle' shop.  This is up there with the most pointless government actions as the EU saying how bendy a banana should be - totally moronic idea.  How about sorting out the drunk drivers by having check points and getting unlicensed drivers off the dam already dangerous roads.  And for the record I don't drink anyways and don't go out at Songkran as I don't want to be drenched by a drunks piss filled water gun... OR mowed down by some Country boy in his pickup or motorbike... Thai culture! Really!  I think member Seahorse sums that one up... Once the tourist industry gets proper wind of this - well its suffering already, but this is another nail in the coffin, go to Vietnam.... cheaper....

[madmitch]

12 minutes ago, fraggleRock said:

Sell no booze! Simple --- stock up beforehand (how thick do they think people are - 'Oh! its a ban, I won't stock up then!' - what a genius came up with this,  I bet his parents are proud as he or she must be 'Special' - pathetic, God its that simple - or go to a local 'jungle' shop.  This is up there with the most pointless government actions as the EU saying how bendy a banana should be - totally moronic idea.  How about sorting out the drunk drivers by having check points and getting unlicensed drivers off the dam already dangerous roads.  And for the record I don't drink anyways and don't go out at Songkran as I don't want to be drenched by a drunks piss filled water gun... OR mowed down by some Country boy in his pickup or motorbike... Thai culture! Really!  I think member Seahorse sums that one up... Once the tourist industry gets proper wind of this - well its suffering already, but this is another nail in the coffin, go to Vietnam.... cheaper....

Must be new to thaivisa: every anti-Songkran-booze-banning cliche in one post!

 

 

[alant]

On behalf of all other SEA tourist spots, what fantastic news, we are happy to take the tourists you don't want to attract...

[holy cow cm]

Alcohol is what makes the funny zaniest things happen in CM, lets people unwind, and lets a little of abnormality and freedom soak in. If these goody good bore mongers are so intent on screwing up everything for their own little amusement, just ban the whole darn festival and all fun things in Thailand entirely now. Do it the sooner than the later as it is heading towards that anyway under Thailand moving forward anyway. 

 

[yellowboat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai PBS reported that 70.1% of respondents in a poll thought that banning alcohol on this day would help protect the beautiful Thai culture. 

For a day.

 

Other cultures do not go through the mental gymnastics that this country goes through over alcohol everyday. 

[DrTuner]

The poll participants were probably 70+ year old Thai-Chinese grannies. They hate just about everything related to fun and relaxing. No wonder since they are married to army generals, bitter life.

[Puchaiyank]

Some say Thai culture is more appealing after a few drinks...????

[DrTuner]

7 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

Other cultures do not go through the mental gymnastics that this country goes through over alcohol everyday. 

They do. It's a daily source of idiotism in Finland. Every culture has it's brainfarts.

[alex8912]

7 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

The poll participants were probably 70+ year old Thai-Chinese grannies. They hate just about everything related to fun and relaxing. No wonder since they are married to army generals, bitter life.

Hmm. I’d say the pole was mostly old grumpy guys on TVF. Oh maybe not because it would be closer to 90%! 

Just wait till next week or so the various posts will be up about how horrible Songkran is!  When in fact it’s probably the most fun holiday ever. Every year all the old grumps on here have ONE YEAR to prepare and all they do is insist on being able to ride a motorcycle during Songkran instead of either staying at home or renting a car for few days.  What do some people do when a sudden rain storm happens when out on a bike?? Start crying! 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, Chris Lawrence said:

Alcohol is a factor but not the key. Its what is permitted to escalate on the day that is the problem. 

Exactly, over time it's gone from a cultural ritual to a "free-for-all" party.

Now it's almost do as you wish, where you want, at anytime you want!

It's been entirely taken over by commercialism, mostly fueled by the Thai vendors out to make some quick cash over the festival days!

Zoning is one way but that's unfair to some businesses who are in the zone & wish to operate as normal.

[jonclark]

I think that those that feel the need to preserve a culture, do not actually understand that a culture is a dynamic concept, not something fixed and unchanging. Each passing generation modifies its culture to reflect the current norms, values and views that makes country unique at that point in time. 

 

Santa Claus was not a part of UK / USA xmas celebrations 200 years ago and would be considered an absurd part of modern culture by our ancestors and contemporaries. 

 

So the notion that ones culture and traditions needs preserving is an admission that the culture is changing and being replaced by something else by the people who live that culture. Preserving it like this is akin to putting it in a museum and expecting everyone to pay homage to it once a year.