Another alcohol clampdown

[dtaai-maai]

In the last two years, 5,082 new liquor licences were issued, bringing the total to 588,962.

That's an increase of less than 1%...

"The more liquor licenses granted, the higher density of outlets."
Wow! What a revelation!
How much did they pay for that study?

Alternatively, and more logically, the higher the density of outlets, the more liquor licences are granted.

[Dannie Boy]

They ban alcohol advertising and yet Thailand still has one of the worlds highest road death rates in which alcohol is often a factor - so it’s not working!!

[Big Boy]

Yes, but the banning of advertising mineral water will certainly keep death off the roads

[buksida]

Govt may cut alcohol sale ban
The government could scrap the afternoon ban on alcohol sales to further boost its tourism promotion policy.

Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew will ask the government's alcoholic beverage control committee to consider a call by an alcoholic beverage business association to get rid of the rule prohibiting the sale of alcohol between 2pm and 5pm.

In his capacity as chair of the panel, Dr Cholnan said he plans to request a discussion on the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (Tabba)'s petition.

The afternoon ban isn't actually part of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, but an announcement put in place by a coupmaker in 1972, he said. "The committee would have to find out what to do if it agrees the 2pm–5pm alcohol sale ban has to go for the sake of the government's tourism promotion policy," he said.

A source on the committee said a conclusion is expected to be reached at the next meeting on Feb 15.

And even though Tabba's proposal appears consistent with the government's tourism promotion policy, stricter measures to protect the public, especially minors, from the possible dangers of cancelling the ban will need to be implemented, the source said.

In the event the alcohol beverage control panel approves Tabba's call, the committee will forward the decision to the national alcoholic beverage policy committee for a final endorsement, the source said.

The national committee is generally chaired by the prime minister or a deputy, the source said.

If the national committee endorses the cancellation plan, a new announcement by the Ministry of Health will be published and the sale of alcoholic beverages between 2pm and 5pm will be allowed, the source said.

The cancellation may be rushed so the new rule can come into force by early April, in time for the annual Songkran festival, said the source.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... l-sale-ban

This would be a huge step forward bringing Thailand in line with other countries in the region since this law serves no purpose whatsoever but the purists and generals that still run this country are likely to object.

[HHTel]

This afternoon ban is respected by 7/11, Makro, Lotus and other supermarkets EXCEPT Villa Market. I've never understood why Villa get away with it when the rest don't.

[Dannie Boy]

They use a bigger brown envelope?


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[2/cb]

Just to clarify…the 2-5pm prohibition doesn’t apply to bars, it’s purely off-licence sales?

[buksida]

Yes, it doesn't apply to restaurants and bars (unless they want to self-enforce) - only shops and retail outlets. Villa may have a restaurant license which enables them to sell, or as DB says ... connections and envelopes!

[Big Boy]

I keep reading this, but what about the wholesalers who look like Ma & Pa shops? I've never found any restriction to selling hours at those places. The only restriction is from when they close at night until they open the next morning. Are they not covered by the rules, or just another TIT and rules don't apply to me?

[buksida]

They don't have to put sales through a till or ledger (that can be inspected), it is just cash over a counter which is how they get away with it, they're technically breaking the this law.

[Big Boy]

Thank you - I've often wondered how they get away with it. Even during Covid restrictions they got away with. At one time I was wondering if I was the only who could see what was going on.

[Dannie Boy]

I doubt that anything goes under the radar of the BIB, so they either turn a blind eye, or more likely, “they’re on the payroll”!!

[Big Boy]

Or own the business

[buksida]

Predictable from the generals and puritans that still technically control this country and its people (which is really what this law is all about, reminding the plebs who are in control.)

Bid to lift afternoon alcohol sales ban rejected
A government panel has rejected a proposal to scrap the long-standing ban on sales of alcoholic beverages between 2pm and 5pm, citing the risk to public health and safety.

The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association had requested the change, saying it would be consistent with the government’s plan to promote tourism.

The cabinet forwarded the proposal to the alcoholic beverage control committee at the Ministry of Public Health, which held a wide-ranging discussion on Thursday, said Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, chief of the Department of Disease Control, who is also the committee secretary.

All participants — including representatives from the ministries of Public Health, Tourism, Interior, Finance, and Social Development and Human Security — and other experts were unanimous that the afternoon sales ban should stay in place, he said.

The committee’s resolution will be forwarded to the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee, which will have the final say when it meets on Monday, said Dr Thongchai.

“If it agrees (to extend sales hours), it needs to amend the related laws,” he said. “However, the ministry has affirmed its stance to protect people’s health.”

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... n-rejected

Let's "protect people's health" ... by forcing them to get on the sauce before 2pm instead.

Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia are less affluent countries with much cheaper alcohol, yet they don't have these stupid restrictions and social problems ... maybe alcohol and availability aren't the issue.

[Dannie Boy]

.. maybe alcohol and availability aren't the issue.

You’re probably right - but to resolve that issue they’d probably only allow sales for an hour a day!!