Alcohol sale control for Songkran

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Alcohol sale control for Songkran 
The Nation: 8 Apr 2010
Alcohol sale to be controlled over Songkran
By Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Published on April 8, 2010

The Public Health Ministry yesterday called on the business sector to strictly control the sale of alcohol during the Songkran holidays because reports show that road accidents among teenagers had risen at an alarming rate in the past year, Deputy Public Health Minister Pannasiri Kulanartsiri said yesterday.

According to official records from 2002 to 2008, about 700 traffic accidents per year were caused by drunk driving. This figure is much higher than the average mean, which should be 544 cases per year, she said.

Pannasiri added that April 13 appeared to be the most dangerous, with an average of 102 on average dying on this day.

To cut down the deaths caused by drunk driving during the festive period, the ministry has instructed provincial public health offices to randomly inspect places where alcohol may be sold, such as entertainment venues, petrol stations, public parks, government offices, temple, school and grocery stores. These random checks will run from April 9 to 18.

Grocery stores and restaurants will be urged to not sell beverages to people under the age of 20. Alcohol will only be sold from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to midnight.

Meanwhile, violators of the 2008 Alcohol Control Act will face six months in jail and a maximum fine of Bt10,000.
Those caught selling alcohol outside of the permitted hours would face two years in jail and maximum fine of Bt 4,000. Those selling beverages to those below the age of 20 would face a year in jail and maximum fine of Bt20,000. Those conducting marketing promotions would face a year in jail and be fined Bt50,000.