Sanan Panel Rejects Songkran Booze Ban

[mike3006]

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.

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