Jakarta, goldensamoyed Indonesia
—
Society in
Thailand
Those who want to enjoy alcoholic drinks in the afternoon are now at risk of facing large fines starting this Saturday (9/11).This follows revisions to alcohol control legislation which strengthened enforcement and significantly tightened marketing and advertising restrictions.
Alcohol sales in most retail outlets and supermarkets in Thailand have been prohibited between 14:00 and 17:00 since 1972.
However, changes to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law that came into effect last Saturday (8/11) mean that individuals can now be fined 10,000 baht or around IDR 4.7 million more, for drinking or being served alcoholic beverages during prohibited times or in prohibited places.
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While there are exceptions for licensed entertainment venues, hotels, certified venues in tourist areas, and airports serving international flights, the responsibility now shifts to the consumer.
These tightened regulations also prohibit advertising of alcoholic beverages unless the content is purely factual.The use of celebrities, influencers or public figures to promote alcoholic beverages for commercial purposes is also now prohibited.
The president of the Thai Restaurant Association, Chanon Koetcharoen, said that the new regulations would have a negative impact on restaurants as consumers would now be “restricted” by set sales hours.
“If a restaurant sells a bottle of beer to a customer at 13.59, for example, but they sit and drink on the premises until 14.05, it would be a violation of the law under Article 32, and the person could be fined. This would hinder the growth of the restaurant industry,” explained Chanon, as reported
Bangkok Post
.
Along Khao San Road, an area of Bangkok known as a backpacker hub, one business that operates as a hybrid bar and restaurant from 11am to 2am said alcohol sales were often loose and customers often ordered drinks between officially prohibited hours.
An assistant manager working at Khao San Road, Bob, said alcohol sales could possibly halve during these hours due to potential fines imposed on drinkers.
There are also concerns that the stricter law could open up opportunities for unscrupulous officials to impose fines on customers, restaurants, or both, for personal gain.
Push for Alcohol Liberalization
Lawmaker from the opposition People’s Party, Taopiphop Limjitrakorn, has pushed for liberalization of liquor sales, saying alcohol sales should be allowed around the clock.
“This amended law aims to serve the goals of those who oppose alcohol,” Taopiphop said.He is also concerned that the new regulations will confuse foreign tourists who might order drinks before the prohibited hours but consume them afterward.
In Thailand, where Buddhism is the main religion, practitioners and monks follow the Five Precepts (
Five Precepts
), which includes abstinence from alcohol and intoxicating substances to increase awareness and avoid recklessness.
(wow)
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