Culture Min campaigns on alcohol-free activities during Songkran Festival



BANGKOK, 4 April 2013 (NNT) – The Culture Ministry is launching alcohol-free campaigns during Songkran Festival, with an aim to reduce accidents and crimes as well as to raise awareness of health problems caused by drinking.

According to Culture Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem, the ministry is cooperating with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation in promoting alcohol-free activities throughout the country, especially in areas where Thais and tourists celebrate the festival.

The ministry is trying to reduce the number of accidents and deaths during the festive season, which is usually higher than at any other time of the year; given water splashing, which is the main activity during the Songkran celebration, can easily lead to accidents.

The campaign will be promoted in several major provinces, including Chiang Mai, Chanthaburi, Mahasarakham, Ang Thong, and Bangkok.

According to the survey conducted by the Stop Drinking Network, 86 percent of the people said they wanted a strict ban on alcohol sales areas where Songkran was celebrated, while 82 percent of the respondents wanted the government to ban drinking nationwide during the festival.


-- NNT 2013-04-04

Who the hell did they ask for the surveys?

This is a nation of serious drinkers so the results are a lie!

THais can drink. The problem is they, universilly, cannot drive. Teach em to do the latter and the problem will be solved year round.

Sure a green sign will stop Somchai from getting p*ssed during Songkran.

"especially in areas where tourists and Thais celebrate", allow me to remind the son of kamnan Poh, that according to statistics for the last 10 years, most people are killed in rural Thailand, the very heartland of Pheu Thai.

Where the hell did they take these surveys? A school for nuns?

Even most prim and proper Thais like a drink or two at Songkran.

The only good thing to come out of it is hopefully there may be less violence from idiot drunks. Always remember a big farang on Songkran in Khao San smashing someone's head in a couple of years back.

The bad thing - Certain Thai women in wet t-shirts will be less up for some action.

just like in every other place i know of in the world

No booze = No go

I for one endorse some form of control but you will NEVER stop me having a few beers at Songrkan.

Here is a(nother of my great) ideas: why not simply enforce the laws on drunk driving (f.e.) throughout the whole year, educate the population on road safety and the influence of alcohol on driving (non) skills (or the influence of a road surface on a head without a helmet, for that matter) and let ALL OF US have fun on the holidays?!

I know: you may say , I 'm a dreamer....

Oh no: let's promote some alcohol- free activities.

Egg- run, twister, hide and seek....

good job.

don't drink and drive - cannot be said often enough.

good job.

don't drink and drive - cannot be said often enough.

Agree 100 per cent no drinking and driving... ever.

But no drinking allowed for anyone at Songkran?

good job.

don't drink and drive - cannot be said often enough.

Agree 100 per cent no drinking and driving... ever.

But no drinking allowed for anyone at Songkran?

who said strict laws strict enforced?

its mostly an awareness campaign.

problem is, most activities are more fun with booze