Booze-Fueled Songkran Sparks Backlash from Non-Drinkers

[webfact]

A man reacts as water is splashed on him during the Songkran water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year in Prachinburi Province, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

 

The Songkran holidays have been marred by a controversial flouting of booze laws, reports StopDrink Network, an NGO dedicated to monitoring alcohol sales.

 

According to Teera Watcharapranee, director of the organisation, major alcoholic brands in Thailand held promotional events at a staggering 137 locations across Thailand. These events allegedly breached alcohol control and excise tax laws.

 

Teera revealed that 42 of these locations were designated water-fighting zones, 60 were entertainment venues, and the remainder venues such as concert halls and department stores.

 

Despite the legal restrictions, alcohol was freely sold even during prohibited hours of 2-5pm, with some promotions offering four beer cans for just 199 baht.

 

Shockingly, sales were made to anyone, regardless of age or sobriety, raising concerns over law enforcement during these festive times.

 

 

 

A notable chain of convenience stores reportedly set up stalls outside their premises in a bid to skirt legal issues, implicating a blatant disregard for the law.

 

The StopDrink Network is readying its evidence to present to government agencies, demanding accountability. Meanwhile, alcohol-free Songkran events in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Nakhon Ratchasima saw enthusiastic crowds, proving that dry celebrations can be equally appealing.

 

Mr Teera urged for stricter government control over how these alcohol brands market themselves, highlighting the importance of social responsibility.

 

This call to action aims to safeguard public welfare, especially among the younger population, as "wan lai" celebrations continue in parts of Thailand. As the festivities go on, the conversation about responsible alcohol consumption becomes even more pertinent.

 

Based on a story by Bangkok Post

 

-- 2025-04-16

 

 

[dinsdale]

Don't drink, don't smoke, don't eat meat don't do this and don't do that. Be a good Buddhist. The wowser club pushing their minority agenda once again. As for "some promotions offering four beer cans for just 199 baht" four large cans (two 2 packs) of Leo at 711 is Bt198 .

[flyingtlger]

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

According to Teera Watcharapranee, director of the organisation, major alcoholic brands in Thailand held promotional events at a staggering 137 locations across Thailand.

 

Really, what do they expect?  This ain't Ramadan!

 

[stevenl]

Great offer, 4 beer cans for 198 baht. I'll extend the offer, anyone wanting to buy 4 cans is welcome.

[Gottfrid]

37 minutes ago, flyingtlger said:

 

Really, what do they expect?  This ain't Ramadan!

Do you have any clue about how Ramadan works? I can tell you. There are a huge amount of people who eat, drink and party like hell after sundown.

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite the legal restrictions, alcohol was freely sold even during prohibited hours of 2-5pm, with some promotions offering four beer cans for just 199 baht.

 

Shockingly, sales were made to anyone, regardless of age or sobriety, raising concerns over law enforcement during these festive times.

 

Oh dear.

The blinkered few have woken up.

These laws are flouted every day, not just at Songkran.

They just weren't looking in the right places.

[Gsxrnz]

Swimming goggles (preferably tinted) and ear plugs are the ultimate Songkran survival kit. The ear plugs serve a double purpose - protects your ears from the water as well as the 127 decibel Thai music. 

 

I've lived here too long. 

[Gottfrid]

34 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Swimming goggles (preferably tinted) and ear plugs are the ultimate Songkran survival kit. The ear plugs serve a double purpose - protects your ears from the water as well as the 127 decibel Thai music. 

 

I've lived here too long. 

Dude! You forgot you diving suit, or maybe just a rain coat. 😂

[ikke1959]

There are all kind people and everybody want to say something... or have an opinion... Let people do what they want.. If the like to smoke or vape do so... but give them some areas.. if people want to drink let them do so, bars enough, but not on the streets or so, if people want to have sex let them do it... places enough in Thailand to do so but not in public places... and everybody will be happy instead of dondrink. dontsmoke or dontvape societies. If they choose not to drink or smoke or have sex it is ok too

[watchcat]

3 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

 

Really, what do they expect?  This ain't Ramadan!

 

 

But  very close to it!   You could save a lot of money on your water bill with the songkran enyoy the last day.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

According to Teera Watcharapranee, director of the organisation, major alcoholic brands in Thailand held promotional events at a staggering 137 locations across Thailand. These events allegedly breached alcohol control and excise tax laws.

Oooop's, 

[LALes]

So glad I'm out of Thailand for April.

[Andrew65]

A few times over the years I would be drinking around the corner from Soi Cowboy on Songkhran day and one of the girls would walk in and say "falang boxing" (fighting).

 

When drunk people start throwing stuff at each other there's a high chance that things will go wrong. It's not just water, it now has to be a bucket of ice-cold water.

[diveasia666]

32 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

A few times over the years I would be drinking around the corner from Soi Cowboy on Songkhran day and one of the girls would walk in and say "falang boxing" (fighting).

 

When drunk people start throwing stuff at each other there's a high chance that things will go wrong. It's not just water, it now has to be a bucket of ice-cold water.

Why they started with ice cold water, beats me. Hate them <deleted>.  Don't mind so much when it is warm water.

[Andrew65]

1 minute ago, diveasia666 said:

Why they started with ice cold water, beats me. Hate them <deleted>.  Don't mind so much when it is warm water.

I used to talk to an old Thai taxi driver at the hotel where I lived. He said that when he was a kid (probably the 1950's), Songkhran lasted for 1 day, and it was just sprinkling water on people, not buckets and water cannon. I expect that mass tourism has made it what it is today.

[Luuk Chaai]

7 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

 

Really, what do they expect?  This ain't Ramadan!

 

• 
• • Do you have any clue about how Ramadan works? I can tell you. There are  huge amount of people who eat, drink and party like hell after sundown.

you had to get him started

[kuzmabruk]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Shockingly

When the Chang family and the Singha family want, they get. What’s so shocking.   They will each say they’re sorry and that’s the end of it. 

[thongplay]

8 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

 

Really, what do they expect?  This ain't Ramadan!

 

Well said "Really, what do they expect?  This ain't Ramadan!".

 

It's supposed to be laid back free Thailand where people come to get away from home-country restrictions.

 

[Aussie999]

7 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Do you have any clue about how Ramadan works? I can tell you. There are a huge amount of people who eat, drink and party like hell after sundown.

Calm down, geez, it was humour, something you seem to lack...bloody hell mate.

[Aussie999]

56 minutes ago, Andrew65 said:

I used to talk to an old Thai taxi driver at the hotel where I lived. He said that when he was a kid (probably the 1950's), Songkhran lasted for 1 day, and it was just sprinkling water on people, not buckets and water cannon. I expect that mass tourism has made it what it is today.

Still only 1 day, in Hua Hin. Culturally it was washing the hands, and feet, of elders, but turned into a water festival, lead by thais... Do not blame tourists.

[Advocatus Diaboli]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The Songkran holidays have been marred by a controversial flouting of

DRIVING Laws …..

Isn’t it illegal to ride in the back of pickup trucks? Oh this is Songkran, where laws seem to be flouted left and right. 

[blaze master]

All that matters is songkran brought in obscene amounts of money to fill the void inside

 

[phetphet]

I stocked up the fridge the day before, and stayed home with feet up and the aircon on. Punctuated by the occasional dip in the pool. Pure bliss.

 

 

[connda]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The Songkran holidays have been marred by a controversial flouting of booze laws, reports StopDrink Network, an NGO dedicated to monitoring alcohol sales.

Dear StopDrink Network:
Have you all been hiding under a rock.  It's always been this way.  If anything, Gen-Z are introducing a new era where younger folk are bypassing getting pissed-drunk during the holidays.  But "flouting of booze laws" has been happening here since they had booze laws to flout, which by the way are outdated by Western standards.  Ya'll complain about Thailand when in the EU it's standard practice to start drinking at lunch which pretty much shuts down the rest of the work day as the drinking just continues for the rest of the day. I know your organization is Thai, but try a trip to the EU and find out what a drinking culture is really about. 

[connda]

Songkran - I just stay off the road until next week, stay home, and enjoy my coffee.

[Ralf001]

23 minutes ago, connda said:

Songkran - I just stay off the road until next week, stay home, and enjoy my coffee.

 

a sensible person... unlike the other whingers on this forum.

[mikeymike100]

8 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Do you have any clue about how Ramadan works? I can tell you. There are a huge amount of people who eat, drink and party like hell after sundown.

But they don't drink alcohol!

[Magictoad]

13 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Do you have any clue about how Ramadan works? I can tell you. There are a huge amount of people who eat, drink and party like hell after sundown.

A moderate amount of people eat excessively after the fasting period is over. I have lived in several moslem countries and it is not "huge amount of people who eat, drink and party like hell after sundown."

 

[Magictoad]

4 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

But they don't drink alcohol!

They do in some places- have you ever been to Bahrain or Dubai or Oman etc etc

[portisaacozzy]

11 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Dude! You forgot you diving suit, or maybe just a rain coat. 😂

Thailand is the only country in the world where i dont have to wear my hearing aid !