BANGKOK, 10 July 2015 – Deputy Prime Minister Yongyut Yuttawong has made known that Section 44 of the constitution is being invoked to ban the sale of alcoholic drinks near educational institutions.
Mr Yongyut, who chaired a meeting of relevant agencies, said the panel had approved the ban on alcohol sales within 300 metres radius of school and university campuses. The ban also extends to grocery stores and local shops that sell and distribute alcoholic beverages.
Section 44 and a soon-to-be-released order from the Prime Minister’s Office will allow the government to enforce the ban, effective 30 days after the announcement.
Business operators will be summoned for a meeting to clarify the government’s ban. Entertainment areas which include Ratchada, Patpong and New Phetchaburi will be exempt from the ban.
A group representing 3,400 businesses nationwide earlier said 125,000 jobs will be lost immediately once the ban is implemented.
