Thailand Is 40th In World's Alcohol Drinking

[george]

Thailand is 40th in world's alcohol drinking

BANGKOK: -- Thailand ranks 40th in the world for overall alcohol consumption, with peer pressure being the most cited reason for drinking, caretaker Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat revealed on Monday.

He urged Thai drinkers to switch to fruit and herbal juices - which are cheaper than alcoholic drinks - during Buddhist Lent starting today.

The ministry has also asked public health officials to set a good example to the public by reducing or refraining from alcohol consumption during the Lenten period, he said.

According to figures from the AlcoholRelated Problems Research Centre released on June 5, Thailand's consumption of liquor, beer and wine has increased steadily in recent years. In 1998 the country was ranked 50th in the world for overall alcohol consumption. It was 44th in 1999, 43rd in 2000, and moved up to 40th place in 2001, said Pinij.

Statistics from the Thanyarak Institute - an alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre show that from 2004 to May 2009, 4,408 alcoholic patients checked in for treatment and rehabilitation. Most of these patients - 3,906 were male, and 816 were between 35 and 39 years of age - had sought treatment because their health had deteriorated and they wanted to quit drinking.

One third (34 per cent) of the patients said they consumed alcohol because of peer pressure, while one in four said they were curious and 24 per cent said they drank to socialise and for

entertainment.

Increased drinking has led to a high rate of alcoholism, Pinij said.

Alcoholism could be passed on to children, making them four times more likely to become alcoholic than others, he added.

Public Health permanent secretary, Dr Prat Boonyawongwirot, said alcoholism led to a 20 per cent higher rate of liver cirrhosis. Heavy drinkers were at risk of earlier death, and liver donations for transplant were rare, he added.

Medical Services Department directorgeneral, Dr Chatri Bancheun, warned that the affects on the body of prolonged and excessive intake of alcohol drinks - at an average of four drinks in men and three drinks in women per day - include brain damage or deterioration, partial memory loss, sexual impotency, coronary and artery disease, intestinal bleeding, liver cirrhosis and abnormal blood circulation.

--The Nation 2006-07-10

[rishi]

Thailand is 40th in world's alcohol drinking

BANGKOK: -- Thailand ranks 40th in the world for overall alcohol consumption, with peer pressure being the most cited reason for drinking ...

... and if all those longterm alcoholized longterm expats all went back to their homecountries instead of influencing newbees, statistics would look much different ... (just kidding, of course)

[Plus]

For years they claimed the fifth spot. It was hub of drinking. Now what? How did Thailand slipped to fortieth place?

[Isaanlover]

if you are in northeast of Thailand, you will see the local people get drunk 9:00 in the morning.

[lampard10]

if you are in northeast of Thailand, you will see the local people get drunk 9:00 in the morning.

In Ramsgate I waas sh1tfaced by 07.00

[petedk]

if you are in northeast of Thailand, you will see the local people get drunk 9:00 in the morning.

In Denmark I saw friends pissed at 6.30 in the motning and sent home from work at 8 am.

16 year old kids queued up in supermarkets at 7 pm Friday evenings to buy crates of beer, snaps and vodka for a good night out. It was considered to be in if you could vomit early in the evening. Streets and meeting places were full of drunks all day.

Now in Bangkok I never see drunken people during the day. Ok at nights certain area are full of drunken youths but nothing compared with Europe. I have many Thai friends and know many others and I have never in the 6 years I've been here seen any of them drunk. Most will drink 1 beer or 1 glass of wine.

Maybe people up north drink until they fall but that is still the minority compared with all the people in Bangkok.

So I could never understand that Thailand was ranked number 4 or 5 in the world.

[naka]

I agree.

Seen lots of country folks buy a Bt10 plastic bag of Lao Kao for breakfast.

Naka.

[giffarine]

I agree.

Seen lots of country folks buy a Bt10 plastic bag of Lao Kao for breakfast.

Naka.

My observations, hope Thais are not offended facing these facts.

Being merry celebrating something they drank to get drunk. Drunk when was stressed with sorrows. Most amazing are they drinks hard liquor during funerals rites. After cremations, return dancing to the music finishing off the balances.

Probably the reasons they ban alcohols on every Buddhist Lent, election periods, etc.

[isaanbrit]

if you are in northeast of Thailand, you will see the local people get drunk 9:00 in the morning.

In Denmark I saw friends pissed at 6.30 in the motning and sent home from work at 8 am.

16 year old kids queued up in supermarkets at 7 pm Friday evenings to buy crates of beer, snaps and vodka for a good night out. It was considered to be in if you could vomit early in the evening. Streets and meeting places were full of drunks all day.

Now in Bangkok I never see drunken people during the day. Ok at nights certain area are full of drunken youths but nothing compared with Europe. I have many Thai friends and know many others and I have never in the 6 years I've been here seen any of them drunk. Most will drink 1 beer or 1 glass of wine.

Maybe people up north drink until they fall but that is still the minority compared with all the people in Bangkok.

So I could never understand that Thailand was ranked number 4 or 5 in the world.

I totally agree - In my experience I find that Thais drink far less than those back home in England.

[Scott]

Is there a link to the site where they got the statistics?