Alcoholism In Thailand

[JimmyTheMook]

Sure seems like a major social problem to me that is totally unaddressed.

[Maigo6]

Yeah, it is a problem, most Farangs I know are total pizzheads.

[soundman]

Yeah, it is a problem, most Farangs I know are total pizzheads.

Where's the problem with that?

As long as you can do what you need to do when it counts I can't see any problem.

(read: functional alcoholic)

Cheers,

Soundman.

[KireB]

Yeah, it is a problem, most Farangs I know are total pizzheads.

How many farang do you know?

[peter991]

I think Jimmy (the member who started this topic) stated something which is obvious - but should be addressed.

During Songkran there were some graphic billboards and some mock-up accidents involving cars and motorcyclists (some of them were VERY graphic) - but these messages don't sink in or if they do - are not being acted upon by (almost) everybody.

I read somewhere (unable to find the reference immediately) - there are HUGE fines for drinking and driving in Thailand (thousands of baht).

Drinking alcohol in general - from my observation in Issan starts at sunrise and continues so long as there is any alcohol. Mind you - most Thais I have encountered hold their liquor very well - much better than most westerners.

It sees despite the signs - the warning - the penalties - most people turn a blind eye to authority and drink when they want and how much they can get their hands on! I thought the minimum age to obtain alcohol was 18 years - but that doesn't stop next door's 10 year old driving to the local corner shop on his motorbike (without a helmet) and bringing back a couple of packets of cigarettes and a carton of Leo long-neck bottles!

Just waiting to see how old he is before he starts drinking them on the way home.

Peter

[meadish_sweetball]

Yep, it is a big social problem.

It is not totally unadressed - kids are told in the temples and in school about the dangers of alcohol, authorities and medical professionals give advice to people they see drinking too much, and various more or less bizarre laws aiming to control availability (albeit unsuccessfully) are applied.

But obviously, as in any society, the reality kids see around them is what will ultimately determine their behaviour, not what monks and teachers say.

[torito]

Thailand is 40th in world's alcohol drinking

Thailand ranks 40th in the world for overall alcohol consumption, with peer pressure being the most cited reason for drinking, caretaker Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat revealed on Monday.

He urged Thai drinkers to switch to fruit and herbal juices - which are cheaper than alcoholic drinks - during Buddhist Lent starting today.

The ministry has also asked public health officials to set a good example to the public by reducing or refraining from alcohol consumption during the Lenten period, he said.

According to figures from the AlcoholRelated Problems Research Centre released on June 5, Thailand's consumption of liquor, beer and wine has increased steadily in recent years. In 1998 the country was ranked 50th in the world for overall alcohol consumption. It was 44th in 1999, 43rd in 2000, and moved up to 40th place in 2001, said Pinij.

Statistics from the Thanyarak Institute - an alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre show that from 2004 to May 2009, 4,408 alcoholic patients checked in for treatment and rehabilitation. Most of these patients - 3,906 were male, and 816 were between 35 and 39 years of age - had sought treatment because their health had deteriorated and they wanted to quit drinking.

One third (34 per cent) of the patients said they consumed alcohol because of peer pressure, while one in four said they were curious and 24 per cent said they drank to socialise and for

entertainment.

Increased drinking has led to a high rate of alcoholism, Pinij said.

Alcoholism could be passed on to children, making them four times more likely to become alcoholic than others, he added.

Public Health permanent secretary, Dr Prat Boonyawongwirot, said alcoholism led to a 20 per cent higher rate of liver cirrhosis. Heavy drinkers were at risk of earlier death, and liver donations for transplant were rare, he added.

Medical Services Department directorgeneral, Dr Chatri Bancheun, warned that the affects on the body of prolonged and excessive intake of alcohol drinks - at an average of four drinks in men and three drinks in women per day - include brain damage or deterioration, partial memory loss, sexual impotency, coronary and artery disease, intestinal bleeding, liver cirrhosis and abnormal blood circulation.

The Nation (july/2006)

Edited May 31, 2007 by torito

[a2396]

No doubt there is some over-indulgence here as in many countries. There are many substances of which to much consumption causes problems. At least in LOS I am not aware of any widespread illegal drug use, which is a common and growing concern back home. The extemt of the problem here in LOS is not visable in the local media due to their "pussy footing" reporting (or lack of reporting) on numerous social issues.

[chownah]

Nothing wrong with being drunk if you don't cause problems. Since being drunk has been shown to drastically increase the chances of an individual to cause problems then how about if they triple the consequences for someone making a problem while drunk for the first offense and then triple triple for the second and then triple triple triple for the third occurance of the same offense......after all by getting drunk you are putting yourself and others around you to a high proabability of suffering...and if you don't cause the suffering then no problem....nothing happens...but if you do cause a problem then maximum penalty since YOU are putting yourself voluntarily in the weakened position of being drunk.

[Austhaied]

It's a serious problem, magnified by the fact most Thais will not seek help due to the "face factor". I am the son of an alcoholic who has been off the booze for 25 years. It can completely destroy individuals and their families and loved ones if they don't seek help. I have been a guest at a few meetings here and they were always full. It was a enlightening experience to meet those people whose lives were train wrecks before they sought help, although they are at a constant battle to stay sober, it is worth it for the end results.

http://www.aathailand.org/

[Maigo6]

Yeah, it is a problem, most Farangs I know are total pizzheads.

How many farang do you know?

Stacks of em, we often go on the pizz together!...

[blizzard]

anyone surprised at magos response.............any chance he get he will take............lol.

[November Rain]

My BF was an alcoholic, who subsequently died from organ failure enhanced by alcoholism. We had a very up & down relationship, towards the end. He was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis about a year before he died. From then on, he tried to quit. He managed it for a few months, and then would start drinking again. He was a musician & drinking was just part of his scene & his friends.

A few of his friends came to see him in hospital, in a coma on a respirator. They all came to see him as he died (I called them). They were all at his funeral, drinking. Not one has even tried to change their lifestyle after his death. If you can see a friend die & put a beer on his coffin as a farewell "gift". If you can see him die, from the same life as you lead, & ignore that, no Govt campaign or advert in the world is going to change your view.

[Neeranam]

There are now daily AA meetings in the Thai language everyday in Khon Kaen City. There are an average of 15 people turning up. The rest of the country is becoming more aware that there is a way out.

[Juzrelax]

Sure seems like a major social problem to me that is totally unaddressed.

It is when the bar's are closed and you want to get on the piss

[scousemouse]

As long as you pay the bills and pay for evey other expense , everyone is happy.

MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND .

[Travel2003]

Thailand is 40th in world's alcohol drinking

Thailand ranks 40th in the world for overall alcohol consumption, with peer pressure being the most cited reason for drinking, caretaker Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat revealed on Monday.

The Health Minister can say what he likes.

I strongly believe there is huge problem coming over the horizon in Thailand.

Dont believe they have the clear picture of all the illegal factories around that produces cheap hard spirits.

Absolute all my Thai friends drink a lot.

I told a friend that I would give him 10 000 if he did not drink a drop in 2 weeks.

Nope, could not do it. Not an alcoholic of course (they all say that), just want to get drunk 5-6 times a week.

Anyone can get alcohol whenever they want, except for a few hours now and then.

Alcohol is even cheap for a low paid Thai.

150-200 Baht for a bottle of Wiskey, which 3-4 people share, and they get drunk on that.

The nation has a problem they have to deal with, within the next 5-10 years or so.

If not, they will face the same hangover Russia did.

[mrt273nva]

i didn't read the OP or any of the posts. i just saw the thread title and wanted to inform everyone that i am drunk... (and it is problematic cause my wife is quite angry... but i'm feeling great )

"alcohol... the cause of and solution to all of life problems..." - homer simpson

[yaketyak]

To reply to the OP's question , yes of course its a problem . Hasn't it always been?

But exactly what is any government supposed to do about it? People like to drink , the same as many people like to take drugs , and nothing any of them has tried to do in the past few decades has had any effect.

My solution ?... is to educate people as to the dangers they face if they drink to excess (as is done anyway) , make sure everyone who drives knows the consequences of drink driving, and then leave them to it . If , after knowing the consequences , they choose to drink/take drugs , then who is anyone to interfere.?

[kankaroo]

Yes, it is a massive problem in LOS, just as it is in my country (Scotland). It seems you cannot educate people on these shores so it will indeed be a mammoth task getting Thailand up to speed on the facts. Basically it's not going to happen.

[larvidchr]

Just asked my friend what he thought, he said "no problem"

he owns a bar

[jdinasia]

There's still liquid in the bottles in my cabinet! No Problem!

Yes it is an immense problem ..... yes it is being addressed ..... no it is not changing! The only way it WILL change is social pressure ... not from the 'authorities' but from society ... neighbors wives family friends etc .....

I hate the concept of a Nancy Reagan "Just Say No" campaign here ... but it may take that ... some influential people on the social scene going on record OVER AND OVER saying no to booze <and living up to those ideals publicly!>

[keemao]

It's only a problem if you aren't drinking..........

however, the Kingdom needs to be stronger with drink-driving. I love drinking, but driving after is a no-no in any language.

cheers//

[jumnien]

Over-consumption of high-calorie, low nutrition foods (including alcohol) is a major problem in Thailand. Over-consumption of tabacco is also a problem.

[DrFisher]

Alcoholism is a global epidemic that tends to target people of lower social status. Although there are many well off people that have drinking problems it seems the common people or people in lower income brackets have the highest rate of alcoholism. A typical day in the area where I'm from in the USA consists of the average man that earns between $300 and $500 per week going to the local bar after work for .25 cent drafts until he is good an drunk, go home sleep it off get up goto work and start the vicious cycle over again. Weekends consist of cheep 30 packs of Coors light or Bush beer and your drinking buddies poking around under the hood of your pick-up truck. I never thought this was a big deal and I didn't know how many people were actually involved in it until I started working in a level 1 trauma center. I did some research for a university paper I had to write that involved hanging around in my local taverns and pubs and what I saw was shocking. As far as Thai people or any other people in the world go I imagine it is the same, I see the auto mechanics, construction workers and manual labor in general having a couple after work and staggering down the street or worse yet swaying on their motorbikes. On the other hand the Thai village I live in has a higher income group and it is rear to see this behavior and I think it would be frowned upon.

[Neeranam]

Alcoholism is a global epidemic that tends to target people of lower social status.

That's like saying diahorea tends to target gardeners and lawyers - total nonsense.

Alcoholism does not discriminate.

Edited June 8, 2007 by Neeranam

[Gary A]

I do think it is a genetic thing. I am lucky because there is no way that I can drink every day. My hangovers last a minimum of two days and even the smell of beer makes my stomach queasy. I drink maybe twice a week but it's always in my mind not to overdo it because of the hangover.

One of my Thai wife's relatives is an outright alcoholic. He is drunk every single day and he is totally useless. Thai moonshine cost 25 baht per liter so most alcoholics here can beg that much. YES, it is a big problem. The ones who work buy Lao Kao.