National —
On July 5th, 2024, Mr. Teera Watcharapranee, the manager of the Stop-Drink Network Thailand, voiced strong concerns regarding the recent approval of the sale of alcoholic beverages on Thai religious holidays at major international airports.
Teera argued that this decision, focusing on the “5 Major Buddhist Holidays,” aligns with the government’s profit-driven agenda, as reflected in their broader initiatives to relax alcohol regulations and extend bar closing times to 4 AM.
He emphasized that such measures increase the risk of accidents and fatalities, a concern supported by studies from Dr. Kamnuan Ungchusak, the Chair of the Working Group under the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee, showing a correlation between extended bar hours and higher accident rates.
Teera noted that this policy, aimed at promoting tourism and making it easier for tourists to consume alcohol, contrasts with countries like Sweden, which enforces strict alcohol sales regulations every Sunday.
Teera also raised concerns about potential expansions of this policy beyond international airports. The State Railway of Thailand proposed allowing alcohol sales at train stations and on trains to promote domestic tourism. Teera highlighted the risks, referencing a tragic incident where an intoxicated railway officer assaulted and killed a young girl on a Surat Thani-Bangkok train in 2014, leading to stricter control measures.
Furthermore, Teera underscored the public health impact, noting that 1.8 million people in Thailand require treatment for alcohol-related issues, with over 20,000 deaths annually from alcohol-related accidents and illnesses. He stressed that alcohol should not be treated as a common product, given its significant health and social repercussions.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
