Govt In Two Minds Over Alcohol Sales During Songkran

[catmac]

ABAC Poll: Majority backs ban on alcohol sale during Songkran

The majority of citizens have expressed support on the government's plan to prohibit sales of alcoholic drinks during the upcoming Songkran Festival, according to the ABAC Poll.

The latest opinion survey on the Songkran alcohol ban has been conducted by Assumption University's ABAC Poll Research Center on March 25-28, 2009, among 2,147 respondents over 18 years old nationwide. The result indicated that 68.5% agreed with the plan prohibiting all sales of alcoholic beverages around the clock during the festival while 27.3% opposed the idea, and the remaining 4.2% had no comments. The majority of 84.6% also deemed alcohol as the main cause of road accidents during national holidays.

When asked whether the number of accidents would be decreased if a time restriction on alcohol sales was imposed, 76.1% said no while 12.1% said yes, and 11.8% had no opinions. In the same direction, if the sales were allowed only at restaurants and prohibited elsewhere, the majority of 81.4% still believed the number would not be lowered while 8.5% believed it would, and 10.1% had no comments.

In addition, the majority of 77.8% would have doubts in the government and influential figures if alcohol sales were eventually allowed while 13.9% felt it would be acceptable, and 8.3% had no opinions.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 30 March 2009

I would take the results of this "poll" with a pinch of salt.

Interesting only in the answers as to whether banning alcohol sales would have any influence on the rate of traffic accidents (which, after all, was the supposed motivation for all this!); answer - NO (76.1%)

Amusing, too, that 77.8% of respondents would happily ascribe corruption to "the Government and influential figures" - seems that the people don't see Abhisit and his proxy Government with the same rose-tinted specs that some TVers do!

[hammered]

Just reported that there will be no booze ban.

[samgrowth]

Just reported that there will be no booze ban.

What the <deleted>. After I went to Tesco last night to empty their shelves!

[hammered]

Just reported that there will be no booze ban.

What the <deleted>. After I went to Tesco last night to empty their shelves!

Its party time and the drinks are on samgrowth

[justcruisin]

Uh good,saves me a trip to Tesco.

Seems the whole idea has been shelved for another year after a few brown envelopes were distributed

by the major breweries.

[Wolfie]

Just reported that there will be no booze ban.

Your source?

And a friend of a friend who you met down the pub last night, does not count

[mike3006]

Sanan panel rejects Songkran booze ban (Bangkok Post)

The National Committee on Alcohol Consumption Control has rejected the proposal to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages during next month's Songkran festival, fearing a ban may hurt the economy and the tourist industry.

The committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart, on Monday

agreed to allow alcoholic drinks to be sold during Songkran, which is the Thai New Year celebration.

However, alcohbol sales will be banned on national religious holidays, including Visakha Bucha, Makha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha and Buddhist Lent days.

Maj-Gen Sanan said the committee took the economy and tourism industry into consideration.

There was also the rationale that a ban on legal sales of alcohol would not stop people drinking illicitly distilled liquor. If anything, sales of moonshine would increase.

However, the committee would call meetings with provincial governors and senior police nationwide to insist on stricter campaigns against consumption of alcohol and drunk driving.

Monday's meeting of the booze policy panel was moved to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports because of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protest around Government House.

The Public Health Ministry had reommended a total ban on sales of alcoholic bevereges from April 12 to 14 inclusive, or restricting sales to only licensed restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs from 6pm to midnight.

The proposal was driven by increasing concern over the rising road toll during the annual holiday. The most death and injury involves young people in the provinces getting drunk and riding motorcycles.

[hammered]

Just reported that there will be no booze ban.

Your source?

And a friend of a friend who you met down the pub last night, does not count

Twas on TV, but I see now confirmed in a BKK Post link here.

[baabaabobo]

Update from Bangkok Post:

Plan to ban alcohol sales for Songkran gets canned

Plans to ban the sale of alcohol during next month's Songkran festival have been scrapped.

Authorities fear a ban will harm the already damaged tourism industry.

The National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control yesterday said there would be no alcohol ban during the traditional new year from April 13 to 15.

Instead it had opted to launch an intensive campaign against drink-driving.

The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, decided a ban on alcohol sales during Songkran would further harm the tourism industry.

The resolution was reached after a two-hour meeting with relevant agencies. Attending the meeting were Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa, Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Social Development and Human Security Minister Issara Somchai, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbode and Deputy Education Minister Narisara Chawaltanpipat.

Maj Gen Sanan said the meeting agreed to issue a Prime Minister's Office regulation officially prohibiting the sale of alcohol on important Buddhist holidays. He said this was a gift to the Thai people.

The religious days include Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalaha Bucha and Khao Pansa, or Buddhist Lent.

He said agencies would launch an anti-alcohol campaign over Songkran covering drinking while driving and drinking when celebrating Songkran on the back of pick-up trucks.

He said the sale of alcohol over the Songkran holiday would be in line with existing regulations, which limits sales to between 11am and 2pm and between 5pm and midnight.

"The meeting decided the ban would have more of an impact on tourism, particularly on Songkran day, which draws over 80,000 foreign tourists," Maj Gen Sanan said.

"An alcohol ban, if imposed, would drive away foreign tourists."

The deputy premier was also concerned about increased sales of illegal liquor if a ban was imposed.

He rejected the results of surveys which indicated people believed a decision not to impose a ban showed the government was under the thumb of breweries and distillers.

His committee was more concerned about the impact on tourism and problems regarding the sale of illegal liquor.

The panel's resolution will spark protests from people in some areas.

Deputy Public Health Minister Manit said his ministry - which proposed the alcohol ban - would not be discouraged by the committee's resolution.

Its efforts to campaign against alcohol would not go to waste, he said.

The ministry would push for the issue of a PM's Office regulation to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public areas during the festival.

Kamron Choodecha, coordinator of the Alcohol Watch Network, lashed out at the Sanan panel for rejecting a ban.

He said the panel was being insensitive as it could easily impose measures to reduce deaths and injuries.

[PhilHarries]

Plan to ban alcohol sales for Songkran gets canned

Priceless!

[Wolfie]

great news! thanks for the links to the source etc

They should just concentrate on the people guilty of this crime, not punish everyone - looks like common sense might actually prevail!

[yogi]

how about beer sponcers like chang,singha etc,they always have huge promotion on khau saan road,i am sure goverment must be getting somthing from them,

can they aford to lose this money?

[enz13]

happy april fools day

Edited April 1, 2009 by enz13