BANGKOK, 11 May 2011 – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched a campaign against sales of alcoholic beverages on Buddhist holy days in a bid to protect people from the danger of drinking.
In cooperation with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and related agencies, Deputy Bangkok Governor Malinee Sukavejworakit announced that the BMA had organized an activity at Mo Chit Bus Terminal under the campaign to discourage vendors from selling alcoholic drinks to the public on Buddhist holy days.
The Deputy Governor pointed out that since the enforcement of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Act in 2009, good cooperation had been received from large retail stores. However, many restaurants and small retail shops have been found to continue selling alcohol in violation of the law.
Therefore, the BMA has adopted the anti-alcohol campaign to raise people’s awareness of the act as well as the hazard from consuming alcohol through the media and different channels. It also plans to expand the campaign to communities and educational institutions in order to transform them into alcohol-free zones.
On the upcoming Visakha Bucha Day on 17 May, an alcohol ban will be imposed throughout the Kingdom. Anyone found selling alcoholic beverages will be subject to a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of not more than 10,000 THB.
