More Than 20 Million Thai People Over 15 Years Of Age Drink Alcohol

[Jai Dee]

MoPH: 20+ million ppl over 15 yrs drink alcohol

Public Health Minister Phinij Jarusombat has indicated that more than 20 million Thai people who are over 15 years of age drink alcoholic beverages. He also stated that alcoholic beverage advertisements have been slipped into televisions during prohibited times.

The Ministry of Public Health has launched a campaign to encourage young people to stop drinking alcoholic drinks during the Buddhist Lent period. The campaign has been initiated as a present to His Majesty the King.

According to the gathered data, more men drink alcoholic beverages than women, while laborers between the ages of 25 to 299 drink the most. Over the next seven years, more young women will consume alcoholic drinks by three to four times per week.

The Public Health Minister also added that advertisements on such items have sneaked into televisions during 16:00 to 22:00 hours, especially during the live coverage of various sporting events. Operators who violate the laws will be penalized accordingly.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 June 2006

[farangsay]

MoPH: 20+ million ppl over 15 yrs drink alcohol

According to the gathered data, more men drink alcoholic beverages than women, while laborers between the ages of 25 to 299 drink the most.

Wow , must be good. What do these guys drink ?

[Scott]

These statistics are a bit confusing because they don't tell us how often they drink or how much they drink. Without more information, this is just scare-mongering that can be used to clamp down on unknown "evils".

[Jai Dee]

Health Ministry : about 20 million Thais are alcohol drinkers

About 20 million Thai people aged 15 and up drink alcohol.

Caretaker Public Health Minister Pinit Charusombat (พินิจ จารุสมบัติ) said the ministry is carrying out campaign to encourage youngsters to stop drinking alcohol during the Buddhist Lent as part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s ascension to the throne.

According to the 2005 statistics, about one-third of Thai population aged 15 and older were drinkers and that the number of drinkers who were female teenagers would increase from 1% to 5.6% in the next seven years, Mr. Pinit said.

He said all television stations often defied a ban on alcohol advertisements set between 4 pm. and 10 pm., mostly during live broadcasts of sport events such as boxing, soccer and car racing.

Mr. Pinit said beginning next month, the ban will be strictly enforced and alcohol commercials can be shown on TV during 10 pm. and 5 a.m. only.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 June 2006

[MrSnrang]

Does anybody actually care?