Public Health Ministry tightens control over alcohol sale this year

BANGKOK, 2 November 2009 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health will enforce the alcohol control law during end-of-year festivals sooner than the previous years.

Public Health Deputy Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi said he had instructed provincial public health offices nationwide to inspect all shops selling alcoholic beverages, especially the so-called “beer bars,” to see whether they had licenses in line with the 2008 Alcoholic Drinks Control Act. He added that alcohol sale during the festivals, from Loy Krathong in November to New Year 2010, would be controlled more strictly. The ministry may call a meeting between alcoholic drink producers to clarify the law enforcement.

The deputy minister stated further that he had tasked Alcohol and Tobacco Control Bureau Director MD Saman Fu-Trakool to campaign against alcohol consumption during New Year Festival within this month.

The government seriously campaigns against alcohol during festivities and long holidays every year in a bid to reduce road accidents.