Minimum age raised to 25 for buyers of booze

Post by **Wanderlust** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:58 am

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/14Oct2006_news10.php
Minimum age raised to 25 for buyers of booze
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL

Health authorities have stepped up measures to curb alcohol consumption among youth by moving up the minimum legal age of buyers from 18 to 25 years. Narong Sahamethapat, deputy chief of the Disease Control Department, said yesterday that the idea was proposed by a network of parents early this year during a public hearing of a draft bill to control alcoholic drinks.

The measure to raise the legal minimum age of buyers is part of a national campaign to save Thai youth from alcohol abuse, he said, adding that it has already been incorporated into Article 28 of the draft.

Under the bill, the following areas will be designated as alcohol-free zones _ temples, state offices, schools, universities and other places of education.

Also, the authorities plan to declare an alcohol-free day when alcohol sales and promotional activities are prohibited.

Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said earlier that a ban on alcohol advertising in all forms of media will be announced on Monday, while the draft alcohol product control bill will be proposed to the cabinet and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for approval as soon as possible.

If approved, it will be the country's first law that gives health officials comprehensive power to tackle all alcohol-related issues, similar to the Tobacco Control Law.

A study conducted this year by the National Economic and Social Development Board found the number of young drinkers, aged 15-24, has increased from 21.6% to 23.5%. It also found that Thais started drinking at a younger age, with almost 50% of new drinkers aged between 15-19 years old.

Bundit Sornpaisarn, director of an academic centre dealing with alcohol problems, said the measure to raise the minimum legal age of buyers to 25 would effectively reduce youngsters' access to alcohol. Previous studies on alcohol controls showed that the earlier teenagers were exposed to alcohol promotions, the sooner they started drinking, he said.

Wallop Tangkananurak, a member of the NLA, urged the government to hike the excise tax on alcoholic products.

Phra Ratchdhamanithet, better known as Phra Payom Kalayano, voiced strong support for the anti-drinking movement.

He said the drinking of alcohol, which is prohibited in the five Buddhist precepts, is much more harmful and sinful than lottery betting.

Thailand ranks No. 5 in the world for consumption of alcohol. On average, a Thai consumes 14 litres of alcoholic drinks per year, according to the Thailand Development Research Institute.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:51 am

As if this going to make any difference at all.
Generally speaking, the younger a person is introduced to alcohol in a responsible manner, the less likely he or she will have problems from it.
The alcohol free zones have always been there - about 300 metres from a temple, school etc - never enforced.
I also read that these regulations are designed to combat drink driving and the carnage that causes. Where are the cops?
Again, a knee jerk reation to an unfortunate situation that the authorities can't even begin to understand.
Just my tuppence worth.

Post by **Hublet** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 11:10 am

Spot on lomuamart,

I once saw a very very drunk Farang drive his car down Soi Selakam and hit a road motorcycle over. By the time he stopped he was a fair way up the Soi. It took him several minutes to stagger back to where the bike and a very angry farang bike rider were waiting for him with the Police. What happened? Nothing the farang paid money to the bike rider and to the police and off he went back to his car and drove off.

The alcohol exclusion zone as you say has been in place for a long time bit not enforced. However, rumour has it (and we all know what rumours are like in Hua Hin) is that by attrition bar leases are not being renewed or the rents are increased to such an extent that it is not viable to continue business. Also the Alcohol licence issuing people are not issuing any more new licences in the Hua Hin night area around Soi Bintabaht and Soi Selakam. Apparently they still want all bars to eventually move up to the Klong Road area.

Post by **PeteB** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 2:30 pm

Am I being cynical when I think that this will become a nice little earner for the

MIB

- used against youthful looking Farangs, on holiday?

And if they are also not carrying their passport............................

And lomu

Again, a knee jerk reation to an unfortunate situation that the authorities can't even begin to understand.

They are politicians after all!

Peter

Post by **Guess** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 2:47 pm

PeteB wrote:Am I being cynical when I think that this will become a nice little earner for the MIB - used against youthful looking Farangs, on holiday?

Peter

You are being cynical Pete but nevertheless, truthful. I would it would extend way beyond youthfull farang thoiugh. The cash rich youngsters from all over Thailand will be paying. They will pay less but ther are a hell of a lot more of them.

I can remember the opposite on one occxasion in Petchaburi where the police were running a crash helmet campaign targetted at youg offenders. I rode right past a road block without a helmet and was waved on. The reason being, I believe anyway, was that the Police remit for the campaign was to single out the young Thais. Those who had money paid and those who did not got a piece of paper.

Post by **Guess** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 2:54 pm

Back on the topic of alcohol restrictions, I think that in addition to the under 25 ruling they should adopt an over 40 policy aswell. I would suggest something like a yellow card system where after the third card a ban is given.

Well behaved adults like Pete would have no worries because they would never get the first yellow card.

I have a funny feeling that this post is not going to give me any added popularity.

Post by **Hublet** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:16 pm

Has anyone ever heard of anyone (Farang or Thai) being arrested, fined or had their licence taken off them for drink driving in Thailand?

If you go to the following link and click on the left hand panel where is says
Drunk Driving -
http://driving.information.in.th/

I think this say it all

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 3:20 pm

Drink dont drive.

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 4:48 pm

Am I reading the OP correctly ie:

1. Nobody in Thailand under the age of 25 will be permitted to drink alcohol?

2. There will be one day every week when alcohol sales are banned?

If so, does this mean that:

1. Only BGs over the age of 25 will able to bother you to buy them a drink?

2. Bars will only be open 6 days a week?

Surely a lot of revenue will be lost, and a lot of livelihoods be threatened.

Post by **Hublet** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 6:04 pm

I don't think the Thai Gov thinks that way Big Boy. They are use to shutting the bars for all sorts of things and have never worried too much about businesses and jobs. Ie. Kings Birthday, elections, Buccha days and any other reason they can come up with.

Mind you having said that I wonder if they will use the list of finger prints and details, which we all had to supply, in their attempt to enforce
(

) this

or as PeteB put it the MIB get an extra avenue of revenue.

Post by **PeteC** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 6:20 pm

I think they'll have a problem with the 25 age restriction if challenged in court. Whatever the age of adulthood is in Thailand, they can not do things like this with arbitrary rulings affecting those over that age. Things like this have been challenged and beaten in countries all over the world. I think the Thailand age is 18, when boys are subject to military draft.

However, most likely the part concerning those between 18 and 25 will simply be ignored by bars and vendors.

As many have said before, if I can die for my country, I damn well better be able to have a drink when I want it!!!

Pete

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:11 pm

Just going by the laws of the UK.
The Brit government realised a long time ago that the more you stigmatise drinking, the worse the problem becomes.
So, now there's 24 hour opening, when the publican wants it etc etc.
As soon as the "western world" progresses in matters such as these, Thailand goes back to the Middle Ages.
And most frighteningly, they get on their moral horses.
Bullshit. Seems to me nothing other than the same twats still there and saying they know better than a 25 yr old.
Give me a break.

Post by **PeteC** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 7:23 pm

lomuamart wrote:Seems to me nothing other than the same twats still there and saying they know better than a 25 yr old.
Give me a break.

Yes Lomu, I agree 100%. I am truly disturbed in that I thought at this juncture after the coup, there would be more common sense. Here we have the first 'issue' and 'new law' that has cropped up and what do we see?...more of the same. It does not bode well for what is to come.

I must have said 1,000 times on here, people elect officials to represent them, not to be their parents or nannies. It really seems that the thought is that common Thai's can't think for themselves. They have to be taken care of and directed on anything and everything. It almost sounds like a bloody communist mentality. I won't talk about education again, I'm beating a dead horse, for decades. It sickens me.

I hope this is just a blip and really not visions of things to come.

Glad you're back, hope you enjoyed yourself. Miss 'home' yet...LOL.

Pete

PS: Would be interesting to hear some observations your wife had during her first trip to the UK.

Hua Hin Forum