No ban on alcohol for the New Year period

[Lite Beer]

No ban on alcohol for the New Year period
The Nation

Young people from an anti-drinking network yesterday hold up banners supporting the proposal to ban the sale of alcoholic drinks during the New Year holidays.

BANGKOK: -- 367 people killed and 3,300 injured in week last year; minister defends panel's decision

Partygoers will be able to buy booze during New Year celebrations as the Alcohol Control Committee has decided to defer its decision on banning the sale of alcohol during this period.

The ban was proposed on grounds that alcohol consumption is responsible for hundreds of road deaths during the New Year holidays every year.

"We believe further studies are necessary as we need to take into account diverse opinions in society. Banning alcohol would affect a huge number of people," Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said yesterday in his capacity as the chair of the committee.

He denied that the decision was related to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha's comment that he had no objection to the sale of alcoholic drinks during the holiday season. Prayut, who also heads the National Council for Peace and Order, made this comment earlier this month in response to questions about the proposal to ban alcohol over the New Year and during the Songkran festival.

Rajata, meanwhile, said more comprehensive surveys and studies were required before the Alcohol Control Committee could decide whether to impose this ban in the two key periods. However, he said the committee had already approved the Disease Control Department's proposal to ban the sale of alcohol at public piers, transport stations, and state agencies and enterprises.

No alcohol on key Buddhist days

"We have also resolved that no alcohol will be sold on the day marking the end of the Buddhist Lent," he said.

The sale of alcohol is already banned on other days that are religiously important, such as Visakha Bucha, Makha Bucha and Asalha Bucha days.

Theera Watcharapranee, manager of the Stop Drink Network Office, said he respected the Alcohol Control Committee's decision, "but we will gather more information to support the ban. We will still have time to gather information for the Songkran period [in mid-April]."

More than 40 people showed up at the Public Health Ministry's Office of the Permanent Secretary yesterday to call for a ban on alcohol over the New Year and during Songkran.

According to the Youth Network of New Face Drinker Prevention, 367 people were killed and 3,344 others injured in road crashes over the seven dangerous days of New Year's celebrations previously.

"Nearly half of the road accidents were related to drunk driving," the network's coordinator Teerapat Kahawong said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/No-ban-on-alcohol-for-the-New-Year-period-30250278.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-20

[ThePlant]

Common sense...a possible vote losing move avoided.....

Are those kids some sort of 'rent a model citizen of the future' troupe?

The lad second from the left looks like he's already got outside a few cold ones and is well on the way to being stocious....

Edited December 19, 2014 by ThePlant

[The stuttering parrot]

The whole proposal was a joke from the start as is most things this junta puts up for headlines.

It's not the alcohol that kilos it's the bloody idiots who drink drive and the bloody stupid laws that are lax or are never enforced and even the police break them all time.

I know it's impossible but if there are no standards set then just expect these figures to continue every new year and songran.

No good bitching about it as no helmets no seat belts 3 to 5 people on a motorbike people crammed into backs of utes substandard vehicles and pissed up drivers are just the norm and Thailand throughout various governments have had plenty of time to at least try and fix it but chose not to.

Oh and a mere slap on the wrist for those who do get caught.

[ATF]

Next thing they'll be asking to ban drugs on New Year.

[Thailand]

A landmark decision.

The junta finally got something right.

Now they know how to please the people. Threaten to take something away and then give it back again.

[mrtoad]

Is there no limit to the stupidity of Thai officialdom?

[NongKhaiKid]

It was denied the decision had anything to do with the PM's comment he had no objection to alcohol being sold during the holiday period.

Really ? !

[khwaibah]

Time for another coffee and Baileys.

[Caveat Emptor]

The doctor who proposed the ban didn't exactly cover himself in glory as his reasoning was ridiculous to say the least.

He only asked sales be banned and advised to stock up in advance so maybe alcohol bought before the holiday doesn't get people drunk.

A ban is unworkable as there are so many ways around it.

Now it's sorted for New Year we can relax until the lead up to Songkran when the debate can start all over again.

[eddie61]

all motor accidents are caused by motor vehicles, therefore ban all motor vehicles.

all obesity is caused by food, therefore ban food.

all teenage pregnancy is caused by sex, therefore ban sex.

[Friendly Stranger]

But the real question is are they going for a hat trick?

[worgeordie]

On ,Off,On ,Off, better get drunk now before they do a U -turn.

regards Worgeordie

[Krataiboy]

all motor accidents are caused by motor vehicles, therefore ban all motor vehicles.

all obesity is caused by food, therefore ban food.

all teenage pregnancy is caused by sex, therefore ban sex.

You've got my vote for PM.

[upena]

Remember, during the Seven Dangerous Days of Thai New Year, road deaths are only counted if the victim died at the scene totally skewing the numbers.

[Bob12345]

all motor accidents are caused by motor vehicles, therefore ban all motor vehicles.

all obesity is caused by food, therefore ban food.

all teenage pregnancy is caused by sex, therefore ban sex.

You've got my vote for PM.

To become PM you need tanks and guns, not votes

[simondan]

Who cares?? Really!

Old story.

Move on TV you boring b#@!^$@#s.

[Bigfarang1948]

Common sense...a possible vote losing move avoided.....

Are those kids some sort of 'rent a model citizen of the future' troupe?

The lad second from the left looks like he's already got outside a few cold ones and is well on the way to being stocious....

Further studies are needed before banning alcohol sales during this perriod, because many people will be impacted. Really? What about the impact to the dead people's families? There is not much blood money going to be paid becuse someone drank a quart of local whiskey and died behind the wheel of a fast moving car or motorbike. And, please give the kid on the second row a break; just because he was looking away from the camera when the photo was snapped does not make him look like a stoner or a drunk. Shame on you. This whole proposal was such a sham as to deny any attempt at taking this proposed ban seriously. I think they have a file of Things that must get on TV before every holiday, so it looks like they care. I bet if one could go back to the Thai Visa way back machine, one would find a similar post before these holidays for many years. Same Same. I love LOS......

[ThePlant]

Common sense...a possible vote losing move avoided.....

Are those kids some sort of 'rent a model citizen of the future' troupe?

The lad second from the left looks like he's already got outside a few cold ones and is well on the way to being stocious....

Further studies are needed before banning alcohol sales during this perriod, because many people will be impacted. Really? What about the impact to the dead people's families? There is not much blood money going to be paid becuse someone drank a quart of local whiskey and died behind the wheel of a fast moving car or motorbike. And, please give the kid on the second row a break; just because he was looking away from the camera when the photo was snapped does not make him look like a stoner or a drunk. Shame on you. This whole proposal was such a sham as to deny any attempt at taking this proposed ban seriously. I think they have a file of Things that must get on TV before every holiday, so it looks like they care. I bet if one could go back to the Thai Visa way back machine, one would find a similar post before these holidays for many years. Same Same. I love LOS......

Erm not quite with you there old bean....please don't sa-peak pidgin Bar Girl Thinglish at me....

[h90]

New Year: It is the drunk driving that kills not the alcohol. With the same argument against alcohol you could argue to ban cars. Or simple it is nonsense.

Buddhist days: So Buddhists force non Buddhists to follow. I think the penalty is 6 month. I somehow missed that part where Buddha told to punish these who don't follow....that was the other religion......

[ginjag]

The whole proposal was a joke from the start as is most things this junta puts up for headlines.

It's not the alcohol that kilos it's the bloody idiots who drink drive and the bloody stupid laws that are lax or are never enforced and even the police break them all time.

I know it's impossible but if there are no standards set then just expect these figures to continue every new year and songran.

No good bitching about it as no helmets no seat belts 3 to 5 people on a motorbike people crammed into backs of utes substandard vehicles and pissed up drivers are just the norm and Thailand throughout various governments have had plenty of time to at least try and fix it but chose not to.

Oh and a mere slap on the wrist for those who do get caught.

Pity about your first biased sentence, could also be said the same of the last regime Yingluck and her troop.

The rest was sensible.

[Fullstop]

the Alcohol Control Committee has decided to defer its decision on banning the sale of alcohol

Cowards

[Benmart]

Is there no limit to the stupidity of Thai officialdom?

Plenty of the same in my home country.

[Wombat6]

The people in the Photo protesting all appear to be under the legal drinking age. perhaps they are pissed off with people who can legally drink. Possibly "Rent a crowd" ?????

[ScotBkk]

Can't understand all the Hoo-Haa myself ... sounds like a weekend in Glesga Scotland hahaha

[mattk1]

I read earlier that the alcohol driving limit is 0.5mg, can anyone tell me what that equates to in terms of bottles of beer Leo

[berybert]

Less than 2 weeks to go. Should manage to get in another 5 or 6 bans, no ban debates in.

I thought more than 5 people demonstrating was an arrestable offence ?

[Lite Beer]

Alcohol ban over New Year axed

BANGKOK: -- The Committee for National Alcohol Beverage Control on Friday (December 19) scrapped a proposal to ban all alcohol sales during New Year and Songkran holidays.

Speaking after a committee meeting, Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said the proposal required a more in-depth study and an intensive review as it would impact a large number of people.

It also needs a thorough public opinion survey, said Dr Rajata, who chaired the meeting.

The move came after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said early last week there would be no ban on alcohol consumption in public places during the upcoming New Year holidays.

Gen Prayut said all rules had to be practical, suggesting stricter measures with the existing rules.

The prime minister, however, did warn people not to drink and drive.

The Department of Disease Control had proposed on Dec 3 to ban alcohol sales on Dec 31 and Jan 1; and at Songkran on April 13-15, every year in the hope of cutting the number of traffic deaths and accidents.

The shelved proposal, which drew heavy criticism, was among the regulations proposed to further restrict alcohol consumption.

The committee, however, approved the draft regulation to ban the consumption and sale of alcohol at piers, bus terminals, and properties managed by state enterprises or government agencies.

It also approved the proposal to ban all alcohol sales at the end of Buddhist Lent.

Currently, alcohol sales are banned on Buddhist holidays including Buddhist Lent, Visakha Bucha and Makha Bucha days.

The meeting also agreed on a measure forbidding alcohol sales near educational institutions, but it requires the Office of the Alcohol Control Committee to provide a clear framework to assure that law enforcement will not affect licensed restaurants that serve alcohol.

The drafts approved by the committee yesterday will be scrutinised by the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee on Wednesday.

-- Phuket News 2014-12-20

[NaRangsit]

Great news, which seems thin on the ground at the moment. Looking forward to sunning myself on Jomtien beach with cold ones and filling up in seafood.

[jesimps]

The whole proposal was a joke from the start as is most things this junta puts up for headlines.

It's not the alcohol that kilos it's the bloody idiots who drink drive and the bloody stupid laws that are lax or are never enforced and even the police break them all time.

I know it's impossible but if there are no standards set then just expect these figures to continue every new year and songran.

No good bitching about it as no helmets no seat belts 3 to 5 people on a motorbike people crammed into backs of utes substandard vehicles and pissed up drivers are just the norm and Thailand throughout various governments have had plenty of time to at least try and fix it but chose not to.

Oh and a mere slap on the wrist for those who do get caught.

Pity about your first biased sentence, could also be said the same of the last regime Yingluck and her troop.

The rest was sensible.

You got a bleeper which goes off at the mention of certain keywords ie Thaksin, Yingluck, junta? You respond as quick as greased weasel sh1t. Either that or you're hovering here 24/7.

[lee b]

This is the news i was hoping for !