Thailand Targets Tougher Alcohol Laws to Align with Global Norms

[webfact]

FILE photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Thailand’s government is pushing forward with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Bill, which is slated for parliamentary submission next month as part of its effort to enhance alcohol regulation.

 

On Sunday, Nipon Chinanonwait, Director of the Ministry of Public Health's Office of Alcohol Control Committee, revealed the bill's progress, aiming to harmonise local laws with international standards.

 

Anticipated to be deliberated in January, alongside other related bills, the draft law focuses on the regulation of alcohol sales hours, potentially altering the current 2–5pm ban to match global norms.

However, round-the-clock sales will remain prohibited. Crucially, the bill proposes the establishment of provincial committees to enforce age restrictions robustly, ensuring minors have no access to alcohol.

 

This legislative push coincides with a recent plea from over 30 anti-alcohol advocacy groups, who submitted a petition to the Public Health Ministry on 6th December. These groups are calling for stricter controls on alcohol-related activities, such as "drinking games," which pose significant health and legal risks, including alcohol poisoning and unconsciousness.

 

Thanakrit Chit-areerat, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Health, has voiced concerns over drink-driving, especially during the upcoming New Year celebrations. He has urged the public, particularly motorists, to remain sober, citing the long-term health risks young drinkers face.

 

In response to these concerns, the ministry plans to increase scrutiny of alcohol-selling establishments and enforce responsibilities among producers and vendors regarding public safety.

 

Additionally, a campaign against drink-driving has been launched by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation in collaboration with the Child Youth and Family Foundation, Life Quality Development Network, and Stop-Drink Network Thailand.

 

Rungarun Limlahaphan, Director of the Social and Health Risk Control Section at the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, reported a slight decline in national drinking rates, from 28.4% in 2017 to 28% in 2021.

 

Despite this decrease, binge drinking remains a critical issue, with over 5.7 million adults admitting to such behaviour last year. Notably, 34% of fatal accidents during last year's New Year festivities were attributed to drink-driving.

 

In light of the proposed legislative changes, road safety expert Thatchawut Jardbandista has cautioned that extending sales hours might exacerbate road safety issues. He advocates for the introduction of stiffer penalties, such as mandatory imprisonment for individuals caught driving under the influence.

 

As the government continues refining its approach to alcohol regulation, the impending debates in parliament will be pivotal in shaping Thailand's stance on aligning with international standards while addressing domestic concerns, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-16

 

 

[Geoffggi]

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

Anticipated to be deliberated in January, alongside other related bills, the draft law focuses on the regulation of alcohol sales hours, potentially altering the current 2–5pm ban to match global norms.

How about adjusting the cost of wines to bring the price of a bottle of wine in line with other countries.

[Gottfrid]

Aligning domestic concerns with international standards? This will be interesting. 😂

[flyingtlger]

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

aiming to harmonise local laws with international standards.

"AIMING" is the key word...With crooked cops and rampant pay off's, good luck with that.

[dinsdale]

47 minutes ago, webfact said:

potentially altering the current 2–5pm ban to match global norms.

Odd how the midnight to eleven sales prohibition is never mentioned. As for 24 hr sales it doesn't need to be but 11 in the morning is as ridiculous as the 2-5.

[OneMoreFarang]

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

Additionally, a campaign against drink-driving has been launched by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation in collaboration with the Child Youth and Family Foundation, Life Quality Development Network, and Stop-Drink Network Thailand.

 

Now, imagine the Thai police would arrest everybody who is drunk and drives. Now that would make a huge difference.

But obviously we can't expect such radical changes in Thailand. 

[connda]

I know that in America, you can't buy a beer from 2pm to 5pm every day of the week.  😁

[connda]

45 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Now, imagine the Thai police would arrest everybody who is drunk and drives. Now that would make a huge difference.

But obviously we can't expect such radical changes in Thailand. 

Until Thailand puts police in patrol cars which stops drivers for moving violations (like weaving all over the road and driving erratically, speeding, reckless driver, etc) then they will never get a handle on the road fatalities and accidents.  However, as long as we are on it - if Western police patrol car standards were applied to Thailand?  85% of the people on the road would get pulled over for "driving erratically."  One part of the equation is enforcement using patrol cars, but the primary problem in Thailand is that the majority of the population don't have a clue how to actually drive.  That includes the BIB. The driving tests are a ***king joke.  If they want to apply Western standards like Western countries, begin with training the government transporatation officials to understand Western driving techniques and standards, then train "driving schools" to implement those standards, then mandate that drivers takes lessons from driving schools, and also earmark funds to teach driving courses and Western driving standards to teenager in the Thai equivalent of "High School" (M4-5-6).  And make sure those kids see plenty of graphic dead bodies of road fatalities presented by the Road Traffic cops assigned to "public services outreach" to public school.  I still remember the WSP coming to our high school to present "The Roads of Death" or something like that to our "Drivers Education Classes" in high school.  "This person was three times over the drunk driving limit when he ran into the back of this truck (show man with the top of his head gone and his brains hanging out in brilliant Techa-Color."  It has in impact.

Anyway - will any of this happen?  Never in a million years.  So the carnage will continue and Thailand will continue to earn the coveted title of "The Number One Most Deadly Roads In The World" every two or three years.

[daveAustin]

Curtailing binge drinking and drinking games? 😂

What the actual F! Next they’ll be telling people when to piss. 

[OneMoreFarang]

41 minutes ago, connda said:

Until Thailand puts police in patrol cars which stops drivers for moving violations (like weaving all over the road and driving erratically, speeding, reckless driver, etc) then they will never get a handle on the road fatalities and accidents.  However, as long as we are on it - if Western police patrol car standards were applied to Thailand?  85% of the people on the road would get pulled over for "driving erratically."  One part of the equation is enforcement using patrol cars, but the primary problem in Thailand is that the majority of the population don't have a clue how to actually drive.  That includes the BIB. The driving tests are a ***king joke.  If they want to apply Western standards like Western countries, begin with training the government transporatation officials to understand Western driving techniques and standards, then train "driving schools" to implement those standards, then mandate that drivers takes lessons from driving schools, and also earmark funds to teach driving courses and Western driving standards to teenager in the Thai equivalent of "High School" (M4-5-6).  And make sure those kids see plenty of graphic dead bodies of road fatalities presented by the Road Traffic cops assigned to "public services outreach" to public school.  I still remember the WSP coming to our high school to present "The Roads of Death" or something like that to our "Drivers Education Classes" in high school.  "This person was three times over the drunk driving limit when he ran into the back of this truck (show man with the top of his head gone and his brains hanging out in brilliant Techa-Color."  It has in impact.

Anyway - will any of this happen?  Never in a million years.  So the carnage will continue and Thailand will continue to earn the coveted title of "The Number One Most Deadly Roads In The World" every two or three years.

 

Thai drivers are able to follow the rules if the alternative is paying a lot of money.

I once was in a van from Hat Yai in Thailand to Malaysia. On the Thai road there was chaotic traffic. On the same road which continued in Malaysia, the traffic was very civilized. According to the driver the reason was easy. If they are stopped in Malaysia they have to pay a lot of money. So, they behave.

Police could enforce the rules in Thailand as well, if they would want to do that.

[pomchop]

33 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Thai drivers are able to follow the rules if the alternative is paying a lot of money.

I once was in a van from Hat Yai in Thailand to Malaysia. On the Thai road there was chaotic traffic. On the same road which continued in Malaysia, the traffic was very civilized. According to the driver the reason was easy. If they are stopped in Malaysia they have to pay a lot of money. So, they behave.

Police could enforce the rules in Thailand as well, if they would want to do that.

same in vietnam where no helmets especially in cities is extremely rare because if you don't wear one you do get caught and do have to pay a fine...so nearly 100% compliance.  

[Purdey]

The low-level police are helpless as long as their superiors get large envelopes 

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm … global norms ? Sounds like nonsense

 

[WHansen]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

has voiced concerns over drink-driving, especially during the upcoming New Year celebrations. He has urged the public, particularly motorists, to remain sober, citing the long-term health risks young drinkers face.

No mention of killing innocent people while drink driving though ???

Keep the licensing hours as they are and show some balls with hard and fast penalties, confiscate the vehicle, large fine/jail and most importantly, address the crooks that allow a drunk driver to continue their journey after paying a bribe.

[rwill]

There are international standards?  Seems each country has it own standard.  In the USA each state has it's own standard.

 

[Hawaiian]

What international standards are they talking about?  Many Muslim ruled countries ban alcohol outright.  And what about countries where beer and wine are okay for minors?

[Rimmer]

An unattributed inflammatory post has been removed, please also see the following forum rule.

 

23. You will not use ASEAN NOW as a platform to gather support to effect changes on religious, political, or governmental issues.

[Marco51]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Thai drivers are able to follow the rules if the alternative is paying a lot of money.

I once was in a van from Hat Yai in Thailand to Malaysia. On the Thai road there was chaotic traffic. On the same road which continued in Malaysia, the traffic was very civilized. According to the driver the reason was easy. If they are stopped in Malaysia they have to pay a lot of money. So, they behave.

Police could enforce the rules in Thailand as well, if they would want to do that.

they'd have to learn the rules themselves first, then teach them at driving school -along with right of way at intersections(there is a common misunderstanding that the cheekiest is first) and quite possibly take away mobile phones if caught LINE'ing on bikes and in traffic...........that will boost the mobile sales if nothing else.

[wensiensheng]

Don’t they understand that alcohol laws don’t matter, without enforcement to go along with it and the fact of the matter is that there is little to no enforcement in Thailand.

[wensiensheng]

2 hours ago, connda said:

I know that in America, you can't buy a beer from 2pm to 5pm every day of the week.  😁

Is that in every state? ie a federal law?

[connda]

If you want to align with European norms, you start drinking at lunch time.

[dick turpin]

Just now, connda said:

Until Thailand puts police in patrol cars which stops drivers for moving violations (like weaving all over the road and driving erratically, speeding, reckless driver, etc) then they will never get a handle on the road fatalities and accidents.  However, as long as we are on it - if Western police patrol car standards were applied to Thailand?  85% of the people on the road would get pulled over for "driving erratically."  One part of the equation is enforcement using patrol cars, but the primary problem in Thailand is that the majority of the population don't have a clue how to actually drive.  That includes the BIB. The driving tests are a ***king joke.  If they want to apply Western standards like Western countries, begin with training the government transporatation officials to understand Western driving techniques and standards, then train "driving schools" to implement those standards, then mandate that drivers takes lessons from driving schools, and also earmark funds to teach driving courses and Western driving standards to teenager in the Thai equivalent of "High School" (M4-5-6).  And make sure those kids see plenty of graphic dead bodies of road fatalities presented by the Road Traffic cops assigned to "public services outreach" to public school.  I still remember the WSP coming to our high school to present "The Roads of Death" or something like that to our "Drivers Education Classes" in high school.  "This person was three times over the drunk driving limit when he ran into the back of this truck (show man with the top of his head gone and his brains hanging out in brilliant Techa-Color."  It has in impact.

Anyway - will any of this happen?  Never in a million years.  So the carnage will continue and Thailand will continue to earn the coveted title of "The Number One Most Deadly Roads In The World" every two or three years.

 

 

How about some paragraphs along the way.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

How about adjusting the cost of wines to bring the price of a bottle of wine in line with other countries.

The easy changes they can do now, miracles take longer

[StayinThailand2much]

So, even after that, still having to time my alcohol purchase, esp. when grocery shopping... No wonder, that I haven't bothered to buy much alcohol in Thailand in recent years.

[jesimps]

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Odd how the midnight to eleven sales prohibition is never mentioned. As for 24 hr sales it doesn't need to be but 11 in the morning is as ridiculous as the 2-5.

It would be nice to be able to buy my booze on my early morning visit to the supermarket when the roads are less congested, rather than have to shop post 11am and return home during the lunch hour rush.

[Ralf001]

1 minute ago, jesimps said:

It would be nice to be able to buy my booze on my early morning visit to the supermarket when the roads are less congested, rather than have to shop post 11am and return home during the lunch hour rush.

 

Is there not a "mom and pop" store on your route ?

 

Yesterday 7am I did my grocery shopping at my local TOP's.... bought 2 bottles of JD over the road at the mom and pop store !

[CFCol]

2 hours ago, connda said:

I know that in America, you can't buy a beer from 2pm to 5pm every day of the week.  😁

Where is the logic in that? Thankfully it's GLOBAL norms they're looking at.

[StayinThailand2much]

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Is there not a "mom and pop" store on your route ?

 

Yesterday 7am I did my grocery shopping at my local TOP's.... bought 2 bottles of JD over the road at the mom and pop store !

 

People have different preferences. And (most) mom and pop stores don't sell my favourite brands.

[StayinThailand2much]

6 minutes ago, CFCol said:

Where is the logic in that? Thankfully it's GLOBAL norms they're looking at.

 

Whatever "global norms" are. In my country, I can buy beer at any time of day as long as someone sells it, and in Australia, you just need quick 'assistance' at the self-checkout. So, why not just check ID of young-looking buyers?

[kingstonkid]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Thai drivers are able to follow the rules if the alternative is paying a lot of money.

I once was in a van from Hat Yai in Thailand to Malaysia. On the Thai road there was chaotic traffic. On the same road which continued in Malaysia, the traffic was very civilized. According to the driver the reason was easy. If they are stopped in Malaysia they have to pay a lot of money. So, they behave.

Police could enforce the rules in Thailand as well, if they would want to do that.

Money is not the issue, as most don't pay the bills anyway. The better solution is to impound the cars/motorcycles and sentence repeat offenders or people who cause injury.