Govt may cut alcohol sale ban
The government could scrap the afternoon ban on alcohol sales to further boost its tourism promotion policy.
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew will ask the government's alcoholic beverage control committee to consider a call by an alcoholic beverage business association to get rid of the rule prohibiting the sale of alcohol between 2pm and 5pm.
In his capacity as chair of the panel, Dr Cholnan said he plans to request a discussion on the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (Tabba)'s petition.
The afternoon ban isn't actually part of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, but an announcement put in place by a coupmaker in 1972, he said. "The committee would have to find out what to do if it agrees the 2pm–5pm alcohol sale ban has to go for the sake of the government's tourism promotion policy," he said.
A source on the committee said a conclusion is expected to be reached at the next meeting on Feb 15.
And even though Tabba's proposal appears consistent with the government's tourism promotion policy, stricter measures to protect the public, especially minors, from the possible dangers of cancelling the ban will need to be implemented, the source said.
In the event the alcohol beverage control panel approves Tabba's call, the committee will forward the decision to the national alcoholic beverage policy committee for a final endorsement, the source said.
The national committee is generally chaired by the prime minister or a deputy, the source said.
If the national committee endorses the cancellation plan, a new announcement by the Ministry of Health will be published and the sale of alcoholic beverages between 2pm and 5pm will be allowed, the source said.
The cancellation may be rushed so the new rule can come into force by early April, in time for the annual Songkran festival, said the source.
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This would be a huge step forward bringing Thailand in line with other countries in the region since this law serves no purpose whatsoever but the purists and generals that still run this country are likely to object.