Proposed alcohol ban for New Year and Songkran

BANGKOK:-- The Public Health Ministry looks set to propose a ban on the consumption of alcohol in public places during the New Year and Songkran holidays.

If the proposal gets the go ahead, the ban could come into effect later this month and will start on Dec 31st to Jan 1st and then again on April 13th to 15th - at height of the Songkran celebrations.

According to the Bangkok Post, the proposal was announced by Dr Saman Footrakul, director of the Alcohol Committee Office which is part of the Disease Control Department, at a seminar on Tuesday 3rd December.

Dr Saman reportedly said the proposed alcohol ban would be submitted to the permanent secretary for public health during the alcohol-control meeting which is to take place later this month on December12th.

-- 2014-12-04

I see the fun police are at it again, worse luck...

That will hurt their image badly

Wearing their thinking caps again, eh?

Ah what the h3ll. Just change the national religion to Islam

A land of very nice people ruled by morons.

Soooooo everyone is just going to buy their alcohol before the ban and bars are going to be selling a lot of "coffees". Genius.

Forget the tourists.

The Thai will be revolting over that. And disgusting too...

What a wonderful way to encourage tourism. An alcohol ban at New Year? That is one of the craziest ideas I have heard yet. So many people will stop coming here for the Christmas and New Year holidays if they go ahead with this ban.

They mean ban drinking on the street?

If so good idea!!!

No way this will go forward - and no way this'll be policed with any effectiveness either.

just can't buy in family mart and sit outside on the steps drinking

A great idea , this will have the numbers thru Swampy skyrocketing, unfortunately for TAT the increase will only be at the departure gates.

But hang on, maybe this is a joint venture WITH TAT to ensure that they do not miss their "projected" increase in Middle Eastern and Arab tourist, who as everyone knows never touch alcohol.

I think its great: finally a crackdown on tourism.

Those bloody tour buses doing right turns on crowded streets in Pattaya: please just tell the tourists to get lost. Cambodia is much more fun.

Unfortunately all those hoards of Russian teetotallers may not care if they cant get a drink at new year. Pity!

Forget the tourists.

The Thai will be revolting over that. And disgusting too...

No, Thai's are immune to stupid laws.....

Public places, so that means you can drink in a pub etc, yes or no?

Are these actually real headlines ? Nobody is that stupid, right ?
Am always amazed when " officials" come out with ideas like this.

I thought Thai people were worried about losing face......

yes,
and close all massage shops,
and close all partys,
and make piss tests everywhere.

This is definitely a great tourist fun package.

That will work- not!

Another fantas(y)-tic idea

Do they state anywhere what is defined as a "Public Place"?

This sounds like a fun New years NOT !!

so thats every street restaurant serving beer and beer garden ..like Central World etc...complete idiots

I guess TAT sees this as a way to increasing tourism during the high season.

too much to expect people to read beyond the headline, if they could manage all those words up to the opening sentence:

a ban on the consumption of alcohol in public places

and perhaps comprehend the intent . . .

eg

Chanthaburi city has had this form of ban, permanently, not for specific holidays etc - in place since late 1990s, as has our town in the same province.

In the years we've lived here, festivals, holidays etc, never been an issue.

Well-signposted and policed if required - though we've never seen any 'trouble'.

Keeps public parks etc free for families, year-round.

Alcohol remains on sale at bars/restaurants. As the article states ''public places"

PROPOSED ALCHOHOL BAN FOR NEW YEAR AND SONGKRAN

"If the proposal gets the go ahead, the ban could come into effect later this month and will start on Dec 31st to Jan 1st and then again on April 13th to 15th - at height of the Songkran celebrations."

No shit...........

They just prepare for the millions of tourist expected to arrive from Jordan and Egypt next step is a huge area for burqa bathing on Pattaya Beach

Not doubt tomorrow TAT will announced that millions of tee-total tourists will be flocking here for the 'Alcohol Free' period.

Seriously you couldn't make this crap up ... morons.

Yes good doctor, banning the consumption of alcohol for 4 days out of 365 will do wonders for improving the health of alcoholics, of which this "disease control department" is targeting. Just when you think the leaders of this country could not get any dumber......