Attempt to ban sale of alcoholic drinks during New Year's festival renewed



BANGKOK: -- The Office of Alcoholic Drinks Control Committee of the Diseases Control Department has appealed to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to ban the sale of alcoholic drinks during the New Year’s festival.

Dr Samarn Futrakul, director of the office, said today (Wednesday) that he wrote a letter on behalf of the office to the advisor of the prime minister asking for the imposition of the ban together with data showing the benefits of the ban imposed in New Zealand and several states of America such as Kansas and Connecticut.

Citing the data, Dr Samarn claimed that the ban has helped lower casualty rate from road accidents by 40 percent and assault rate against women by 50 percent.

He claimed that recent opinion survey showed that 81.79 percent of respondents supported the ban against 9.85 percent who disagreed.

Dr Samarn insisted that the ban was not a trade barrier but just a temporary measure to improve road safety and safety in lives during festive season s.

He noted that road accidents from drunk driving usually accounted for 80-90 percent of the accidents during festive seasons.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/attempt-ban-sale-alcoholic-drinks-new-years-festival-renewed


-- Thai PBS 2014-12-18

Citing the data, Dr Samarn claimed that the ban has helped lower casualty rate from road accidents by 40 percent and assault rate against women by 50 percent.

If that's the case, Alcohol should be banned at all times, not just new year.

Asking the police to actually enforce laws instead of sitting in a tent at the side of the road watching tv for 7 days would be a start.

The remaining perentage of accidents and violence was made by people having withdrawal from alcohol LOL

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by krystian

I thought the PM made it clear there would be no ban at New Year.

The good doctor is probably sincere although perhaps misguided and now he's still flogging this despite the word from on high, brave of foolish ?

Well, banning alcohol during the holiday would also bring down the Thai economy and mean less gifts in the police family home.

Less 'handouts' at road checks.

You can ban this and that and ban alcohol sales

Where there is a will there is always a way, people will still be able to get there hands on it

or they will stock up before the band takes effect

This is just a PR statement to make it look like they are trying to do something positive

can you imagine "hey fereigners, come celebrate the holidays in Thailand, but it is BYOB, stock up at duty free before you get here"

"...showing the benefits of the ban imposed in New Zealand and several states of America such as Kansas and Connecticut...Citing the data, Dr Samarn claimed that the ban has helped lower casualty rate from road accidents by 40 percent and assault rate against women by 50 percent."

If he is presenting accurate statistics, citing data from other countries where the laws are enforced and homemade alcohol is a rarity, these statistics are quite meaningless for Thailand. In addition, there is a history of public organized action against drunk driving and abuse against women in the countries he is citing for his proof, and they were able to turn out the vote for politicians who supported these issues. In Thailand, the politician just pays Samchai 300 baht to vote for him and Samchai uses the money to buy more alcohol, drive home and beat his wife.

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by jaltsc

If only a could find a tuk tuk driver or taxi driver that is not drunk or on drugs maybe I would consider not driving by myself after a few beers.

love the picture showing the worst moonshine product ever made cheapest and strongest our local shop even decants the stuff in energy drink containers certainly not my tipple but have tried it but maybe that's what they are targeting

This is a yearly happening crackdown on reducing traffic accidents sort of worked last sonscran without banning sales on mass

I hate to break it to the good doctor but alcohol is NOT banned in New Zealand at New Year. There are alcohol free zones at some beaches and inner city party zones but that's it. And to claim that such "has helped lower casualty rate from road accidents by 40 percent and assault rate against women by 50 percent" is just complete drivel from a man who should think before he opens his mouth.

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by Snig27

So if they ban the sale of alcohol people will just stack it up in the Hi Lux before New year and drinking will go on. don't see the point. If people want to get drunk they will.

Thailand, run by people Brain Dead

I hate to break it to the good doctor but alcohol is NOT banned in New Zealand at New Year. There are alcohol free zones at some beaches and inner city party zones but that's it. And to claim that such "has helped lower casualty rate from road accidents by 40 percent and assault rate against women by 50 percent" is just complete drivel from a man who should think before he opens his mouth.

How dare you dispute the doctor. Don't you realise he is Thai and know all about other countries.

Just ban or highly tax this disgusting super cheap whiskey which destroys the life and families of the poors. For under 100THB you can buy this stuff and get yourself drunk the whole day.

Ban all alcohol sales from street food vendors, Ban all alcohol sales from 711s should do the trick. Alcohol should only be sold at registered stores and nowhere else.

What ban in NZ? - some official events have booze bans in cordoned off areas - but there's no countrywide ban.

Just to make sure that whatever little tourists are left will not come back for another visit!!

This is not about accessibility, but about the lack of lawenforcement.

Busted for DUI, arrested on the spot and taken straight to the slammer for 30 days. That might even make Somchai reconsider his drinkinghabits.

Silly me. I forgot that takes honest, hardworking and dedicated policeofficers to make that happen.

So forget it!!

About as much sense in this as there is with restricted buying times, 11-2 etc.

Doesn't work, won't work. People simply buy more during the restricted hours. Mom & Pop stores will continue to sell under the counter etc.

Enforce the drink driving laws and maybe some progress will be made.

Banning sales of alcohol is nonsensical.

Tax the white spirit based on it's alcohol content by volumn. Or better yet, just ban the manufacture and sale of it. It is pure poison, plain and simple.

But they also need to enforce the drunk driving laws (there are drunk driving laws here, right?) and use harsh penalties for those caught. No 100 baht instant fines.

Might also want to ban the consumption of alcohol in public places, and by that I mean drinking while wandering around the streets. Allow alcohol consumption only in designated venues and locations, and on/in your private property, of course.

The biggest single problem is that there is zero law enforcement and until that changes, nothing will change.

Busted for DUI, arrested on the spot and taken straight to the slammer for 30 days. That might even make Somchai reconsider his drinkinghabits.

And all the Tom, Dick and Harry's who are driving or riding about every night under the influence, I've said it many times before, nearly every Farang I know who drinks alcohol and has a Motorcycle or Car, drinks and drives on a regular basis, many are well pizzed.

Agree, a mandatory 30 days in the nick would certainly make a clear message and stop the majority of drunk driving, Farangs should also be deported and blacklisted for life after the 30 days, that would stop pretty much every one of the many Farangs I know from driving under the influence.

Alcohol......one of the most dangerous drugs on the planet, if it wasn't for the Trillions of taxation $$$$$ it generates for governments around the world it would be a class A drug and highly illegal.

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by Banzai99

Thailand, run by people Brain Dead

Brains destroyed by Alcohol.

Tourists, if you want to drink New Years Eve, go to Malaysia.

I can't be bothered to read that c&@p anymore!

From Mad Magazine late 1950's

Mad Magazine’s A New Year’s Eve Carol
(to the tune of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”)

Well you’d better watch out
You’d better not try
Traveling about, I’m telling you why:
Sodden clods are painting
The town.

They’re wrecking the bars,
They’re starting street fights,
They’re having one of their naughtiest nights
Sodden clods are painting
The town.

Blithe New Year’s drivers pickled
In alcoholic brine
Will gaily bounce off walls and trees
To strains of “Auld Lang Syne”.

So you’d better stay home
And drink your own rye,
You’re crazy to roam
It’s obvious why:
Sodden clods are painting
The town

not this <deleted> again

This guy needs to get his facts straight. In Kansas if Christmas falls on a Sunday then no sale of alcohol is permitted. No mention on New Years. And in Connecticut liquor stores are not permitted to sell alcohol but can be purchased at private establishments. I highly doubt that 81.79% of anyone supports this ridiculous idea brought forth by some so called doctor. I would really like to hear who they performed their so called opinion poll with. Show us your data you clown.

Even by topless barmaids??

Come to Happy Thailand

Booz Banned

Sex Banned

Girls in low cut dresses Banned

any other color than yellow banned

all thinking Banned

Have a nice day (Banned)

I wonder by how many per cent the road death toll could be lowered if existing traffic laws and legislation against drunk driving were actually enforced. And I mean not only during long holidays, but year-round.

Has Dr. Samarn ever looked into that approach or is he just a narrow-minded bigot wearing blinkers?

Edited December 18, 201411 yr by Misterwhisper