Thai Health Minister Blocks 24-Hour Hotel Alcohol Sales, Reviews Rail Plan

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Matichon

 

At the Ministry of Public Health, a significant meeting of the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee took place, chaired by Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health.

 

The agenda focused on two key issues: the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at train stations or on trains, and a proposal from the Thai Hotels Association to allow round-the-clock alcohol sales in hotels.

 

Mr. Somsak revealed that the State Railway of Thailand proposed selling alcoholic drinks in first and second-class sleeper cars, dining cars, and private charter services. However, the committee did not approve this proposal in its current form.

 

Mr. Somsak explained that more information was needed to address safety concerns, particularly regarding private charter services, where full privacy and no disturbances could potentially allow such sales.

 

Regarding the hotel proposal, the committee noted that the Hotel Act of 2004 already governs alcohol sales in hotels, leading to a decision against continuous 24-hour sales.

Instead, they provisionally allowed drinking in hotel rooms. A set of guidelines permitting 24/7 consumption in guests' rooms through in-room minibars is to be drafted, although legislation is required to enforce this.

 

Mr. Somsak highlighted a broader strategy for reinforcing alcohol regulation, tasking provincial committees with developing plans under the Alcohol Control Act of 2008.

 

This includes specifying no-sale zones, managing sale hours and age restrictions for purchasers, controlling advertising practices, and promoting sobriety campaigns like “No Drink Driving” during festivals.

 

When asked about the new legislative proposal for an Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which increases business representation in the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee, Mr. Somsak acknowledged potential conflicts of interest.

 

Yet, he emphasised that legislative affairs are outside his direct influence, urging a careful approach once the bill returns to his domain.

 

Although faced with political pressures, Mr. Somsak showed restraint, as the Parliament remains adjourned until mid-December. Concentrating on immediate legislation for the Ministry of Public Health has been challenging, admitting to losing sleep over pending laws.

 

Finally, he remarked on the evolving cultural dynamics surrounding alcohol consumption, emphasising a need to listen to diverse public opinions, whether from critics or supporters, to navigate these complex societal issues, reported Matichon Online.

 

-- 2024-11-20

 

 

[webfact]

Hotel Room Alcohol Service Extended 24/7 for New Year Period

 

FILE photo courtesy: Prachachat

 

For the upcoming New Year celebrations, hotels in Thailand will allow guests to order alcoholic drinks to their rooms from in-house bars and restaurants at any time, thanks to a temporary rule change approved by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

 

The decision, taken at a meeting led by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, aims to balance convenience for guests with responsible consumption.

 

Typically, hotel guests can order alcohol to their rooms only until 10pm from restaurants and 2am from bars. However, the recently approved regulation permits round-the-clock service to rooms, aligning with the 24-hour access guests already have to in-room minibars.

 

Although hotels can serve alcohol during New Year's events with extended hours, this new policy is a special allowance, requested by the Thai Hotels Association (THA). It's designed to enhance guest experience during one of the peak tourist seasons.

Despite the relaxation for hotels, the board decided against lifting the alcohol ban on trains, a proposal put forth by the State Railways of Thailand (SRT).

 

Mr. Somsak expressed concerns about safety and crime risks associated with serving alcohol on trains, though there remains an openness to future discussions on allowing alcohol in specific train areas like first-class sleeper coaches or chartered sections.

 

This decision highlights the focus on preventing alcohol-related incidents. Drunk driving remains a significant issue during the holiday period, as evidenced by over 4,000 injuries from drink-driving accidents reported at the start of January.

 

Strengthened roadside checks and educational campaigns on the dangers of drunk driving are part of the board's broader strategy to ensure safety.

 

Hospitals and local authorities have been tasked with implementing prevention measures and working closely with communities to curb drink-driving.

 

Public awareness campaigns will begin pre-festivities and continue throughout, with a review of their impact afterwards.

 

This comprehensive approach underscores the importance of encouraging responsible alcohol consumption while still offering hospitality services that cater to tourists and locals celebrating the festive season, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-11-20

 

 

[MadMac]

Clowns.

[khunjeff]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

A set of guidelines permitting 24/7 consumption in guests' rooms through in-room minibars is to be drafted, although legislation is required to enforce this.

 

As though this hasn't always been permitted?! Do any hotels come and empty the minibars at midnight and refill them again at 11am?

[paul1804]

22 minutes ago, MadMac said:

Clowns.

precisely!!

[bradiston]

So which article is the corrected version? They both have the same time stamp.

[Mburo]

What is this obsession with alcohol sales ? 

[dinsdale]

Who cares. Anyone with a modicum of nous will head off to the local 711 fill up their bags with a lot cheaper booze and bring it on back.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This decision highlights the focus on preventing alcohol-related incidents. Drunk driving remains a significant issue during the holiday period

Usual complete idiocy. Drink driving is ALWAYS a problem. As is speeding, inconsiderate drivers, inattentive drivers (phones), not wearing helmets, not wearing seatbelts, only using to the rear view mirror to see how wonderful your looking, kids crawling all over the car, multiple people on motorcycles, police not doing their job etc. etc. etc.

Edited November 20 by dinsdale

[rumeaug]

I think there is too much damage done because of alcohol ( not a theory. Real life examples every single day, on the roads, homes, everywhere and anywhere...). But, prohibition won't work. If someone wants to drink until kingdom comes, he or she will. Point.

[sambum]

"Mr. Somsak revealed that the State Railway of Thailand proposed selling alcoholic drinks in first and second-class sleeper cars, dining cars, and private charter services. However, the committee did not approve this proposal in its current form."

 

The reason why they stopped selling alcohol on trains was because one of their own raped and killed a young girl by throwing her off the train a few years ago. So they punish the travellers by banning alcohol on trains. Sheesh! Talk about an unfounded  knee jerk reaction!

[sambum]

7 minutes ago, Mburo said:

What is this obsession with alcohol sales ? 

 

People drink alcohol?

[sambum]

40 minutes ago, MadMac said:

Clowns.

 

Trying to justify their (no doubt well paid)  positions.

[sambum]

The guy on the left looks like he's expecting a brown envelope! 🙂 

 

And as for the rest of them - your enjoyment in their hands! They look like they're announcing the break up of their particular p(P)arty!

 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

For the upcoming New Year celebrations, hotels in Thailand will allow guests to order alcoholic drinks to their rooms from in-house bars and restaurants at any time, thanks to a temporary rule change approved by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

I can imagine the fallout form this decision...

[Guderian]

Ye Gods! Whose mother just died? lol

 

 

These sad chaps really look like they could use a good night out on the tiles!

[Lopburikid]

46 minutes ago, Mburo said:

What is this obsession with alcohol sales ? 

To try stop underage drinking, but as usual they can't figure it out. Instead of targeting those selling the alcohol to underage customers, with say a B100,000 fine, a year in jail or both they just close it down.

[0ffshore360]

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

 

As though this hasn't always been permitted?! Do any hotels come and empty the minibars at midnight and refill them again at 11am?

Has been permitted. Now to be enforced ?

No denying the price gouging on mini bar contents might explain that !

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, MadMac said:

Clowns.

 

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

Well at least the kids won't be killing each other at 3 am with their dumb booze and steroid rage fests in the streets.

 

Now if something could only be done about the pot shops.

[Peterphuket]

1 hour ago, MadMac said:

Clowns.

If you see those heads too, I can go a long way with you.

[bristolgeoff]

The 7 days of drinking for the new year,the police will be out and checking,many will die as expected and also injuries.Nothing will change except hotels can provide in the rooms 24/7,does not include the villages or small shops there.same as last few yrs 

[kuzmabruk]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Who cares. Anyone with a modicum of nous will head off to the local 711 fill up their bags with a lot cheaper booze and bring it on back.

Usual complete idiocy. Drink driving is ALWAYS a problem. As is speeding, inconsiderate drivers, inattentive drivers (phones), not wearing helmets, not wearing seatbelts, only using to the rear view mirror to see how wonderful your looking, kids crawling all over the car, multiple people on motorcycles, police not doing their job etc. etc. etc.

What you have listed are trivial societal issues.   Drinking in your hotel room before 11am or after 2pm and before 5pm.  Now that is serious and so many people are - well not dying but unhappy or unhealthy or ??? - and this issue which is at the heart of all problems in Thailand needs the focus of the entire government.   Drop everything and get behind something or someone or somewhere!!!!!!

[dinsdale]

20 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds of Horking said:

Well at least the kids won't be killing each other at 3 am with their dumb booze and steroid rage fests in the streets.

 

Now if something could only be done about the pot shops.

Ridiculous. The biggest drug problem in Thailand is ya-ba. Able to be purchased any day all day and very cheap.

[wombat]

2 hours ago, Mburo said:

What is this obsession with alcohol sales ? 

Somebody impressing the new Mia noi how important they are?

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, 0ffshore360 said:

Has been permitted. Now to be enforced ?

No denying the price gouging on mini bar contents might explain that !

 

Years back I stayed in many hotels / many cities / many countries while travelling for work.

 

In those days some hotels would say that beer cans / bottles that they had put in the mini-fridge were marked/stamped/coded whatever. 

 

If I wanted to drink I would take all the beer cans out of the hotel mini-fridge and hide them in my suitcase, and fill the mini-fridge with cans brought in secretly from 7/11. All easy.

 

Then at an appropriate time (before daily cleaning / re-stocking) remove the 7/11 beer into my suitcase and return the hotel beer to the mini fridge.  Easy and quick. 

 

[khunjeff]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

For the upcoming New Year celebrations, hotels in Thailand will allow guests to order alcoholic drinks to their rooms from in-house bars and restaurants at any time, thanks to a temporary rule change approved by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

 

I drink alcohol, and I stay in hotels, but I have never, ever ordered room service alcohol from any hotel restaurant or bar, and I don't know anyone who has...

[RichardColeman]

Probably do not want 24.7 sales as the monks would be drunk 24.7

[Spermwhale Whalen]

3 hours ago, Guderian said:

Ye Gods! Whose mother just died? lol

 

 

These sad chaps really look like they could use a good night out on the tiles!

They look like how I'd imagine members of a temperance society to look...joyless.

[sambum]

4 hours ago, Lopburikid said:

To try stop underage drinking, but as usual they can't figure it out. Instead of targeting those selling the alcohol to underage customers, with say a B100,000 fine, a year in jail or both they just close it down.

Do kids not have ID cards - with photographs on them? Or maybe I should say "Does someone who is old enough to purchase alcohol not have an ID card..............?

[John Drake]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Somsak revealed that the State Railway of Thailand proposed selling alcoholic drinks in first and second-class sleeper cars, dining cars, and private charter services. However, the committee did not approve this proposal in its current form.

 

Good. Last thing needed is drunks on a train.