New Alcohol Control Bill Nearly Finalised; Set for December House Vote

[webfact]

FILE photo courtesy: MGR online
 

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Bill is nearing completion and could be put before Thailand's parliament by mid-December. Leading the review, Mr Wisarn Techathirawat, head of the special scrutinising committee, stated the bill is now 80% complete.

 

Born out of five distinct drafts, the proposal underwent a demanding eight-month integration process.

 

The five preliminary drafts, originally submitted by various entities including the government, the Pheu Thai Party, and public health advocates, had unique approaches to alcohol control.

 

However, the committee has successfully amalgamated their key points into a single draft, currently 70–80% realised.

 

Central to the new legislation is the devolution of power to local provincial alcohol control committees. This move aims to empower these bodies with the authority to determine zoning areas and establish tailored regulations.

Discussions around the draft were held during a national conference on alcohol. Mr Wisarn remarked that alcohol prevention among youth remains a focal point.

 

As such, representatives from youth councils are set to join provincial committees. This ensures young voices influence pivotal decisions on alcohol zoning and sales restrictions.

 

The timeline is tight. By December 11, the bill should be ready for inclusion in the House of Representatives’ draft agenda.

 

The new parliamentary season begins December 13, providing a narrow window for initial review. Mr Wisarn hopes parliament will prioritise this legislation.

 

One of the bill's principal aims is to tackle Thailand’s increasing trend in alcohol consumption, especially among women.

 

Control of alcohol sales promotions is covered extensively, with the law envisaged to curb related societal issues like health risks and road accidents.

 

The legislation introduces strict penalties for selling alcohol to minors or visibly drunk persons, alongside empowering provincial committees with localised authority.

 

Such provisions promise to fundamentally alter how alcohol is regulated, fitting concerns of public health with practical governance adjustments, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-11-19

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Mr Wisarn remarked that alcohol prevention among youth remains a focal point.

I am surprised. After all, drugs are cheaper and easier to obtain.

But hey - let's hit the legal stuff again.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Central to the new legislation is the devolution of power to local provincial alcohol control committees. This move aims to empower these bodies with the authority to determine zoning areas and establish tailored regulations.

This is amazing! They make the same fault every time. Letting local committees decide, instead of having a country wide law and rule to follow. They are truly feeding corruption in this country.

[ikke1959]

Make the local alcohol drinks more expensive... Ridiculous that a  a few bottles of beer are more expensive than a whole bottle of Thai whiskey.... And the imported wine are extreme expensive because of the import tax and that for low quality of wines.. And besides that make bar owners or bartenders be responsible for the amount of alcohol someone drinks as in many countries they do.... They must be able to say enough is enough now, your drunk already.... but here in Thailand only money counts that is why the entertainment venue is open till 4.am ... why not close at 1 am  surely on weekdays.... rules rules rules in Thailand will never be followed and there are a lot of them.. no alcohol sales on Buddhists holidays and or election days, but you can buy and drink if you want except for the big shops..  is just an example

[NemoH]

The restriction to buy alcohol 11-2pm purportedly to stop drinking during office hour ..is big big joke 🤣🤣🤣

[ronster]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Central to the new legislation is the devolution of power to local provincial alcohol control committees. This move aims to empower these bodies with the authority to determine zoning areas and establish tailored regulations

So maybe some people will realise that stopping tourists drinking or buying booze between certain times makes no difference to how thais behave or what people think of the country.

They might even realise stopping thais buying alcohol on voting days , Buddhist days also does nothing as they just buy it all the day before to drink the next day ! 😄