I knew this problem existed here but the numbers and comparisons in this article shocked me a bit...
"David Swartzentruber
Special to The Nation June 19, 2014 1:00 am
The World Health Organisation (WHO) released its "2014 Global report on alcohol and health" on May 12 and the statistics and trends are not good news for Thailand. The report has serious implications for Thailand's continued economic growth and the health and well-being of its labour force to achieve that growth.
The 392-page report contains a page on each of the 194 member-states of WHO as well as global rates of alcohol consumption for comparison.
The average amount of pure alcohol consumed in Thailand by each adult, (15 years and older), increased to 7.1 litres between 2008 and 2010, up from 6.8 litres between 2003 and 2005. The latest global average is 6.21 litres of alcohol per capita, but the figure for Southeast Asia is 3.4 litres per capita - less than half of Thailand's consumption rate. In various surveys published online, Thailand is ranked fourth-highest in the world for consumption of alcohol.
This is even more startling when you consider that 70.3 per cent of Thais are recorded as abstainers. The remaining 30 per cent more than make up for those who don't drink. The total alcohol consumption for Thai men in 2010 was 30.3 litres of pure alcohol and for women, 5.2 litres.
Moving to the health sector, Thailand received the highest rating of 5 for the number of "Years of Life Lost", based on 2012 data. Deaths from cirrhosis of the liver were 28. 2 per 100,000 citizens for men and 8.7 for women. The death rate for road accidents using the same criteria was 70.3 for men and 18.5 for women.
Amid the barrage of statistics, it is important to note the types of alcohol consumed by Thais. In Thailand, 73 per cent of the alcohol consumed is spirits, 27 per cent is beer, while wine is less than 1 per cent.
Let's compare that profile with neighbouring Myanmar's. Although supposedly a less advanced country than Thailand, Myanmar's alcohol-use profile resembles that of some Western countries: 6 per cent wine, 12 per cent spirits and 82 per cent beer.
The profile of the United States is 12 per cent spirits, 40 per cent wine and 48 per cent beer.
Cause and effect
To trace the cause of Thailand's poor showing in the WHO report one only has to walk down the aisle of any store here that sells alcohol.
On the liquor shelf I noted the price of Thailand's top-selling whiskey - Bt239 for a 70cl bottle of Hong Thong (35 per cent alcohol). Next to it was the even cheaper Song Sam -Bt271 and 40 per cent proof. On the next shelf down, Rongkaw white spirits (popularly known as lao khao), the world's second largest spirits brand according to trade publication the Shanken Daily Report, was just Bt99 for 40 per cent alcohol.
Looking across the aisle, I spied three solitary bottles of wine produced in Thailand. I chose one for reference, the Siam White Blend 2012 vintage produced by Siam Winery, a 750ml bottle with 12.5 per cent alcohol priced at Bt299.
Thailand's most recent change to excise tax on alcohol came in September 2013. Beer and wine saw significant tax increases, while lao khao and other spirits saw only minor increases. While this may keep the pockets of Thai liquor barons well-lined, it is and has been a disaster for Thailand's health and social fabric....."
Full article here: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion ... 36548.html
WHO report: Thailand reeling under a liquor tsunami
WHO report: Thailand reeling under a liquor tsunami
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: WHO report reveals Thailand is reeling under a liquor ts
Quite shocking really but I've come across many Thais who think beer is not really alcoholic and therefore can be consumed as one would water.
Was in a cafe on Petcha last week and the driver and co-driver of the mini bus were quietly eating their noodles washed down by 2 or 3 large bottles of Chang or Leo EACH.
All passengers suitable seated on the bus waiting for the drivers to pay their bill and embark. Presumably Bangkok bound.
Was in a cafe on Petcha last week and the driver and co-driver of the mini bus were quietly eating their noodles washed down by 2 or 3 large bottles of Chang or Leo EACH.
All passengers suitable seated on the bus waiting for the drivers to pay their bill and embark. Presumably Bangkok bound.
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.