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Thailand’s Challenge with Alcohol Regulation: Seeking a Balanced Approach
The Thai Parliament will soon consider four draft laws on alcohol control, with two drafts advocating strict control due to health concerns, while the other two seek to break industry monopolies. The existing Alcoholic Beverage Control Act imposes stringent restrictions, but some argue that it stifles freedom and hampers businesses.
The Thai Parliament will consider four draft laws on alcohol control, two of which propose strict measures due to health concerns, while the other two aim to break industry monopolies.
Key Takeaways
- Thailand is considering four draft laws on alcohol control, but none seem to strike a middle ground that satisfies all stakeholders.
- The proposed drafts range from strict control measures to liberalization of the alcohol industry, sparking concerns about freedom, livelihoods, and potential impacts on public health.
- The government’s eight-point recommendation to ease alcohol controls has drawn criticism for potentially favoring alcohol-based businesses and leading to an increase in alcohol-related issues.
Draft Laws on Alcohol Control
No less than four draft laws on alcohol control will soon go before Parliament, but none appear to contain a middle path that will satisfy everyone. Two drafts, one proposed by the Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department (DCD) and the other by an anti-alcohol group, push for strict control – apparently out of concern about health and other impacts of drinking.
The two other drafts, one written by a pro-alcohol group and the other by Move Forward MP and craft-beer champion Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, seek to break monopoly-like conditions in the industry, which is dominated by just a handful of brewing giants.
Strict Rules and Regulation
Since the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act was enacted in 2008, Thailand has ranked among countries with tight restrictions on the advertising, sale, and consumption of booze. This Act outlaws any form of advertising that displays, directly or indirectly, an alcoholic beverage’s brand or trademark.
Displaying even a picture of a glass of beer can result in a hefty fine. There are concerns that the law is too strict and hampers freedom of expression and trade.
Additionally, here are some other relevant points regarding alcohol in Thailand:
- Purchase Hours: You can only buy alcohol between 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to midnight.
- Age Requirement: To purchase alcohol, you must be at least 20 years old.
- Religious Holidays: Sales of alcohol are banned on religious holidays, spanning from midnight to midnight (24 hours!)
Government Recommendations and Criticisms
Believing that all four drafts represent extreme ends of the debate, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin tasked PM’s Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej to come up with recommendations for Parliament to consider alongside the quartet.
The eight-point recommendation, which has already won a Cabinet nod, seeks to ease tight controls on alcohol consumption in Thailand. However, critics argue that easing alcohol controls could lead to an increase in alcohol-related issues such as road accidents from drunk driving. Despite differing viewpoints, the government continues to explore ways to find a balanced approach to alcohol control in Thailand.
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