Bangkok, July 25 2012 – Thai Health Promotion Foundation has launched a campaign to encourage Thai people to abstain from alcohol during Buddhist Lent on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti’s 2,600th anniversary.
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation or ThaiHealth together with Stopdrink Network launched a campaign on drinking abstention during Buddhist Lent on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti’s 2,600th anniversary. The campaign is also held in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. It was held at Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives in Bangkok.
Thai Health Promotion Foundation deputy manager Krisada Ruang Areerat said that the ThaiHealth has joined hands with 7 other agencies organizing the campaign. This is the the tenth time ThaiHealth has organized the event.
According to ABAC Poll, for the past 9 years, up to 81.1 percent of the population support the campaign and 50.6 percent of those actually realize the danger of drinking and try to quit or abstain from drinking. In the first year of the “Drinking Abstention during Buddhist Lent” campaign, 40.6 percent of Buddhists enrolled in the program; the percentage has increased to 53.3 percent in 2011.
Mr. Krisada added that this campaign also helps Thai people save money and family can spend more time with each other. Additionally, it reduces crimes in the Thai society as well. This year campaign is aimed at reducing the number of drinkers by 60-70 percent.
