Anti-booze Campaigners Sign Up Surayud

[terrythesparky]

What is the age limit now? and when are they talking about the new one coming into force.

My son as just turned 18 and is coming to thailand for the thai new year, I hoped he could take his dad out for a beer or two.

[Upcountry]

Just means more income for the lao khao mafia.

[liberty9133]

I noticed that there is no Thailand listed on the International site of Alcoholics Anonymous. When I was in Thailand last, I went to a meeting of AA and found no Thai nationals. I tried to check and found no meetings for Thais. Perhaps I am wrong, but this is unusual in a land of many seeming alcoholics.

BTW, I have nothing against anyone drinking anything. I think that is their own business. I just know that I can not drink successfully(without consequences).

[SamuiJens]

What is the age limit now? and when are they talking about the new one coming into force.

My son as just turned 18 and is coming to thailand for the thai new year, I hoped he could take his dad out for a beer or two.

Why should he do that, when he might not drink?

[terrythesparky]

What is the age limit now? and when are they talking about the new one coming into force.

My son as just turned 18 and is coming to thailand for the thai new year, I hoped he could take his dad out for a beer or two.

Why should he do that, when he might not drink?

Very good your farther had a sence of humour too

[cclub75]

I will not discuss about the opportunity of such regulations.

But rather, the timing and motivations.

Today, in Thailand, is this "issue" the most important to take care of ?

Should it be a priority for the interim government ?

The answer, clearly, is no.

First, I'm astonished by the resilience of the gvt. The circus started by some oukaze last november, issued by the Health minister. Then, in december, the cabinet took the only good decision : "see you later". Then, january the Health minister proposal was definitly rebuked.

At that time, we could have thought : the cabinet is reasonnable.

And then, now, hop, it's coming back !

Point number 2 : many people here say "mai pen rai, it will be never respected. Business as usual. TIT" or whatever.

I don't agree. The ban on advertising is not going to be virtual. It's going to be real. It's real business, real money.

The whole printing/advertising industry is going to suffer... just to please some mono maniac hysterical guys in the administration.

So to sum' up: the only field where the gvt is showing resilience and work is... the frivolous moral field : coyotee, skirts, bras, booze, sex and teenagers (remember "valentine day" ?), the magnificient "Thai Culture", etc.

All the other issues are obviously not important... That's a shame and that shows cleary that this government is going into the wall. Full speed ahead.

Edited March 13, 2007 by cclub75

[flyx]

hey

i have a question

Can i drink in public with new law ?

[CHAIYES]

hey

i have a question

Can i drink in public with new law ?

Yes Sir, you sure can drink in front of a temple and not get arrested - if you are over 20yrs..!

[flyx]

I generaly drink in public and walking drunk to catch girls for my bed , if it is ok now with new law Then i love thai yet

[MMan]

Interesting that they waited until just after the Johnny Walker golf tournament in Phuket to announce that advertising will be banned.

[flyx]

Did you see Black&White whisky in thailand ?

I was searching about it in pattaya and bkk and i couldn't find it

If you know a store sale it please give an address

[Hssl]

Hands up all who want to PAY more for a concert ticket to see a live band Thai or Farang.......... This <deleted> has already cost me money in the industry i work in!

All Thai's have to carry their ID card?

So as in the UK shops/pubs /clubs selling booze HAVE to ask for the customers ID if in doubt of the customers age - and if the seller is caught out selling booze to under age people THEY are fined!!!

BUT TIT

Until the country can deal with the old 'whats the problem............ money's the answer' its all SH$T

All of these moral Laws just F$$k with your average joe that does nothing wrong (Thai or Farang)

The Goverment needs to shut up or really deal with the country's problems properly and NOT just make a half arsed effort to bullSH$T the nation - But their not the first and won't be the last!

Signed

a drunk 30 something

[loong]

There is a very simple way to cut the amount peope drink,...............The simple way is to tax drink so high that people can't afford it (like they do with imported drink, for example). That would sort out the poorer members of society, who are probably the greatest abusers of alcohol (although I am prepared to be corrected if someone has the stats).

Making something more expensive will attach more status, so make it more desirable in this status obsessed society. Note how popular JW Black Label is.

In the last round of tax increases, Low Khow was left out. Why was that? I suspect that it's because the government knows that it would just result in an increase of illegal Low Khow producers, resulting in less net tax receipts.

In the village that I stayed, they produce Low Khow legally, but the locals buy it for 10 Baht a bottle and huge amounts are consumed without any tax paid. Truckloads are shipped out with no tax paid. Any increase in Tax would mean an increase in the amount of alcohol bypassing the tax system.

The biggest hurdle is this attitude towards alcohol. There is no stigma attached here as there is in other countries. It is considered acceptable to have 4 or 5 beers or a half bottle of spirits with/instead of breakfast, then drive the kids to school or go to work.

I don't really know how this attitude can be changed, but the obvious place to start is in the schools. The problem is that I have had the headmaster come to my house in the middle of the day absolutely p**sed out of his skull. Other teachers have come in the evening, same condition. These are the role models for the children.

[Virgil]

Another nail in the coffin of freedom for Thai people.

Such draconian laws are tougher than the UK USA and Australia.

There are half a dozen pubs, bars and alcohol outlets within a stone's throw of a small Buddhist shrine near our place. Are they all to be closed down? Is there to be no advertising on the back of busses that pass by a school? Crazy stuff. Underage drinking is largely a parenting issue and regulating the location of premises selling alcohol and placement of advertising will do nothing to curb the problem.

It is abundantly clear that this is another ploy by Muslim fundamentalist dictators who have overrun the legal government to turn the nation into a Muslim state.

Stand up for your country Thailand and take back what is yours.

Virgil, Out.

[Zoltan]

Thailand is starting to act like my county... anything that is good or fun tax the hel_l out of it or get rid of it.

[Choscura]

I can see all the missionary/expat kids are going to be suddenly making a lot more friends soon, at least when it's time to buy alcohol. nobody here cards them. it's kind of funny to watch, and to see what they are able to get away with.

overall, I'd say this is a good thing, though. when I was growing up and going through those painful teen years, my dad made a deal with me: I could drink as much as I want at home and nothing anywhere else. it meant that I wasn't able to get into fights or into trouble with the police/authorities and still say to the kidiots in every high school "you call THAT wasted?". it also meant that I got looked after by someone who actually cared and would (probably ) be sober and able to handle anything I did. that was a worthwhile system. the current thai situation of 15-16 year olds passing a bottle of XXX whiskey or a few bottles of beer around in front of an internet cafe before they hop on their little scooters and ride off to school doesn't work nearly as well. social it may be- intelligent it isn't.

and while I'm at it, why don't they crack down on drunk driving as well? heavy fines and jail time- to *all* offenders- would put a stop to a good deal of it- and with the fines, the police would have an incentive to actually make arrests. I can't count the cracked-open skulls I've seen all over just chiang mai because of stupid people driving while drunk. the thai driving habits may be insane, stupid, laughable, obnoxious, and any other adjective you can think of besides 'good' (or anything really positive), but driving while drunk? seriously. come on.

I'm done now.

[navajo]

Cabinet approves alcohol consumption control bill

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday approved a bill to control alcohol consumption and prohibit advertisement of alcoholic drinks.

Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla said the bill would provide comprehensive control of alcohol consumption.

Among other things, it would prohibit the sale of alcoholic drinks to people under 20 years old.

It would also set zoning for alcoholic drinks sale and consumption, he said, adding that the sale would be prohibited near temples and schools.

The bill would be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly for deliberation soon.

-- The Nation 2007-03-13

Anti-booze campaigners sign up Surayud

BANGKOK: -- Campaigners trying to reduce the availability of alcohol in Thailand - through restrictions on sales and advertising - have enlisted a high-profile supporter.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has added his name to a rapidly growing petition, which lists people who back the alcohol control bill.

The bill faces opposition from businesses, especially over plans to totally ban alcohol advertising. If passed, the legislation will ban alcohol sales to people under-20 and sales near religious sites and educational institutes.

The anti-alcohol network of 246 organisations is gathering signatures in support of the bill, due to go to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) this month.

Caravans in support of the bill are converging on the capital from four directions and have collected around 4 million signatures along the way with the help of www.stopdrink.com and numerous health clinics. Teenage anti-booze campaigner Kan-anek Thanapornditsanand invited the premier to pledge his support.

"I'm very glad that he accepted. It shows that he gives importance to the issue and wants to keep alcohol away from young people," Kan-anek said.

Campaign coordinator Khamron Chudecha said the caravans were expected to collect more than 8 million signatures before they arrive at Sanam Luang this Sunday, where they will be joined by Bangkok joggers and more than 50,000 supporters.

The signatures will be presented to the prime minister and NLA Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan.

The movement aimed to protect the young and the vulnerable from problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption, Khamron said.

--The Nation 2007-03-13

[navajo]

Thailand is starting to act like my county... anything that is good or fun tax the hel_l out of it or get rid of it.

[Kaojai]

Bluudy good idea.

Who needs tourists anyway?

Yes, what would we ever do without tourists like these who would probably never come to Thailand if they couldn't drink themselves into oblivion everyday.

Two Speeding Swiss Men Crash at Dusit Curve

The Pattaya police were informed on 10th March at 2.30 am that two foreigners crashed into the footpath at a sharp curve going down to Pattaya Beach, beside the wall of the Dusit Resort.

At the scene the team found a Honda Air Blade motorbike and Mr. Mer Crene, aged 31, from Switzerland. His condition was serious since he had lost a lot of blood so the Rescuers quickly took him to Memorial Hospital. As for the other injured person, witnesses said that officials from City Hall passed by and saw that his condition was the worst; he was unconscious, had lots of wounds and was bleeding heavily, so rushed him to Pattaya International Hospital first.

The security guard of Dusit Resort who was at the scene told the police that the men came by at high speed, and when reaching the curve, didn’t even step on the brakes. The bike lost balance and slid along the road to crash into the footpath next to the wall of the Dusit Resort.

The police recorded that there were no other parties involved and this accident was caused by the Swiss men themselves.

Aggressive and Drunken Farangs

The Pattaya police received a report at 3.15 am on 5th March that a group of British tourists were having a fight at the entrance to Soi 3,

Pattaya 2nd Road, just opposite Big C Supermarket so rushed to the scene with Sawang Boriboon rescuers to investigate.

At the scene, the team found a group of foreigners (reported on TV as “British hooligans” fighting so separated them and then sent the injured, known only as Peter, aged 44 to the hospital for treatment.

Witnesses told the police that these two gangs were fighting at a bar earlier in the night and couldn’t sort it out. Later, a Mr. Michael left and came back with over 10 more friends and started attacking Peter’s group that had only 5 members, which caused them injuries.

The police were only able to capture one of the attackers, which was Michael himself so detained him and took him back to the police station, and is waiting for Peter to recover to press charges.

[Jimjim]

British hooliganism finds its way to Thailand. Awesome.

Can't wait until England comes for a football match against Thailand and some Muay Thai fighters kick some British hooligan ass.

Edited March 14, 2007 by Jimjim

[Bangkok Barry]

and while I'm at it, why don't they crack down on drunk driving as well? heavy fines and jail time- to *all* offenders- would put a stop to a good deal of it-

In the UAE, or at least in Dubai, if you are caught drunk driving, with any level of alcohol at all, you get an automatic one month in jail. No arguments, no payments to the police fund. Jail.

Can't imagine that ever happening here, so drink driving will continue. Heck, even my policeman brother in law does it.

[duncaw]

UK:

18 - Drink, vote

17 - Drive (car)

16 - Smoke (soon to be 18?), Work, Leave Home, Marry (with parental consent), Age of Consent

USA:

21 - Drink

18 - Vote? Smoke?

14 - Drive (at least in some states)

What's the big deal about a limit of 20 on drinking. It's not as if kids in the UK stay stone cold sober until they are 18, they find ways around it. Same will happen here.

[Neddy]

To all of those who cite laws in other countries as rationale for similar laws in Thailand, there is one major difference. In the U.S., if you are stopped while driving erratically and test above the legal limit for alcohol you are cuffed and taken to the slammer immediately no ifs, ands or buts about it. Doesn't matter if you are man, woman, judge, priest, Big-wig politician or Bill Gates, you're going to spend some time behind bars. Then you re going to spend big bucks for a lawyer hoping that you can keep your license. If you are a repeat offender, you will see jail time as well.

I have no objection to having laws against alcohol sales to minors, and totally support strong measures against drunk driving. But untill Thailand cuts the hyprocisy of laws without enforcement, I have little respect for these self-serving measures.

[Scott]

It's not that they are trying to make some laws that control alcohol adverts or consumption, it is that these laws seem to be all over the place. In general, as most everyone knows, they don't work very well. I mean the laws against drug use certainly are a fine example.

The key to any law is enforcement and that is sorely lacking in Thailand. Of course, for a few poor farang, it will be enforced. It sounds like a good money making project for the police.

[Barryz]

There have been lots of comparisons in this thread to the drinking laws in the US, UK and Australia. Perhaps the wine-drinking countries of Europe are a better model.

Placing restrictions on the availability of liquor outlets and the time of day it can be sold and drunk, tends to encourage binge drinking. Prohibition itself creates problems. We all remember what happened in America when liquor was prohibited.

I'm all in favour of a completely 'laisser-faire' attitude. However, attacking advertising which promotes drinking, could be effective. This is something which could be easily policed since advertising by its nature is pretty easy to spot. Not much point in having secretive, under-the-counter advertising.

The problem with a lot of advertising is that it presents drinking as a macho thing to do. Banning the sale of drink to those under 20 has a similar effect, ie. you have to be a man before you can drink. Ergo, 'I'm under 20 and not a man, but I can behave like a man by drinking'.

It's the sort of false logic that many youths are prey to.

[andook]

Prohibiting alcohol initiated the scourge of the Sicilian mafia in the US that is still present today. People will always feel the need to relax with some kind of stimulant / social relaxant after a hard day at work, why not introduce some sort of sensible guidelines to using alcohol? Too grown up, mibbe?

[andook]

British hooliganism finds its way to Thailand. Awesome.

Can't wait until England comes for a football match against Thailand and some Muay Thai fighters kick some British hooligan ass.

Not condoning soccer violence are you, jim?

Muay Thai seems as popular in the UK as it is here, btw.

[Dupont]

Look at the timing!

This bunch of pricks tried the same thing late last year, Johnny Walker, rattled his sable, gave em a two week deadline to retract it or lose the Phuket golf Tournament. Result, caved in as all the Goverment like to go there and get their mugs on TV with the likes of Tiger Woods.

Now the tournament is behind them, they can get back on their righteous horses and resurect this. It's all show and face as ususal with them and nothing will happen. They will be all over the media looking smug and serious for a second time, then Johnny will walk all over them again next winter.

Its like when the Finance Minister ate the 20 baht meal in the canteen to promote his suffiency economy credentials. Then its back home to the mansion in the Merc with the private Driver. Complete ballcocks as usual.

They have laws already.

What they don't have is enforcement

Edited March 14, 2007 by Dupont

[Jai Dee]

Anti-drinking parade supports Alcoholic Beverage Control Act

Anti-drinking running and bicycling campaign has paraded to the province of Phitsanulok. The campaign has been launched to encourage people to do good deeds and to promote anti-drinking.

Phitsanulok Deputy Governor Santi Krusuansombat (สันติ กรุสวนสมบัติ) welcomed the parade in Muang district of Phitsanulok. The parade started from Chiang Rai and is visiting other provinces in the North, and it will reach Bangkok on March 18th, 2007.

People can also sign their names to voice their support of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. The campaign aims to draw in 10 million supporters nationwide, and the list of names will be submitted to relevant ministers and Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDC) Chairman Prasong Soonsiri. The act will prohibit advertisements of alcoholic drinks as well as distribution of alcoholic beverages to youths. The act will help reduce social problems, poverty, and accidents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 March 2007

[Robbie Dye]

When will this country catch itself on as to how totally stupid it comes across to the rest of the world with the draconian, pathetic, not to mention stupid, laws and policies it comes out with.

Totally agree, the banning of alcohol advertising is just pathetic. Goodbye Bangkok Rock 2008, and alos major sporting events like the Johnny Walker Classic and others. Back deeper in to the Third World we go, why can they not wait for a democratically elected government to deliberate on major issues like this?