Alcohol sales to be restricted

The sale of alcohol in public places will be restricted under a Health Ministry draft regulation. Likely to take effect on Jan 1, 2013, it prohibits the sale of alcoholic drinks on footpaths, in public parks, and in public areas nationwide.

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Students have been campaigning for restrictions on alcohol sales for a long time. This demonstration at Government House took place in September, 2010. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

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Alcohol sales in public places face restrictions

New rule hoped to take effect New Year's Day

Paritta Wangkiat
Amornrat Mahitthirook

The sale of alcohol in public places will be restricted under a Health Ministry draft regulation.

The Health Ministry board, chaired by minister Pradit Sintawanarong, approved the regulation yesterday.

Likely to take effect on Jan 1, 2013, it prohibits the sale of alcoholic drinks on footpaths, in public parks, and in public areas nationwide.

Retail alcohol sales will be permitted only from 11am-2pm and from 5pm-12am except at international airports and at licensed entertainment venues.

Violators of the ban could be jailed for up to six months and/or fined up to 10,000 baht.

Mr Pradit said the regulation would help cut road accidents because there will be fewer outlets selling alcohol.

The regulation, to be proposed to the board of national alcohol-related policy, chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, would be enforced under the Office of the Prime Minister.

Officials hope the regulation will take effect on New Year's Day, a time of year when alcohol sales typically peak.

Saman Footrakul, director of the Alcohol Beverage Office, said the regulation had undergone public hearings before being proposed.

He said several public surveys conducted last year also showed most people backed the restrictions.

He said up to 80% of 5,000 people surveyed by Dusit Poll supported a ban on alcohol sales on the streets.

Nearly 83% of 7,000 people questioned in 24 provinces also said alcohol sales on the streets and public areas should be prohibited.

He said enforcement of the regulation would depend on local authorities.

"The big question is how we can persuade local authorities to enforce the law," Mr Saman said.

campaign – to try to achieve political or social change by persuading other people or the government to do something รณรงค์
restriction – a rule, action or situation that limits or controls someone or something การจำกัด, การควบคุม
demonstration – an occasion when a group of people gather together to support or protest about something การชุมนุม
public – provided for the use of people in general ของสาธารณะ
take effect – to begin to be used or required ส่งผล
draft – something, in this case a written proposal for regulation, that may be changed before it is finished ร่าง(กฎระเบียบ)
regulation – an official rule that controls the way that things are done กฎระเบียบ
approve – to give official permission อนุมัต
prohibit – to not allow; to ban ห้าม
footpath – a path that is made for people to walk along ทางเดิน
nationwide – throughout a whole country  ทั่วทั้งประเทศ
retail – to sell directly to the public for their own use  ขายปลีก
permit – to allow someone to do something อนุญาต, อนุมัติ, ยินยอม
licensed – having an official document that gives someone permission to do or use something มีใบอนุญาต
venue – the place where an activity or event happens  สถานที่
violator – a person who goes against or refuse to obey a law, an agreement, etc. ผู้ฝ่าฝืน, ผู้ละเมิดกฎ
ban – an official statement ordering people not to do, sell or use something การห้าม
fine – to be required to pay an amount of money because you have broken the law ปรับเป็นเงิน
outlet – a shop or place where a particular product is sold  ร้านขายสินค้าจากโรงงาน
propose – to suggest an idea for a group to consider เสนอ
policy – a set of plans or action agreed on by a government, political party, business, or other group นโยบาย
enforce – to make sure laws are obeyed บังคับให้ใช้,  บังคับให้ทำ, ใช้กำลังบังคับให้ปฏิบัติตาม
typically – usually; normally อย่างเป็นแบบฉบับ
peak – to reach the highest amount or level, before becoming lower ขึ้นจนถึงจุดสุดยอด
undergo – to experience something, especially something that is unpleasant but necessary ผ่านประสบการณ
survey– to ask a large number of people questions to find out their opinions สำรวจ
conduct – to carry out  ดำเนิน
back – to support สนับสนุน
local – in or related to the area that you live, or to the particular area that you are talking about  ท้องถิ่น
authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ
persuade – to make someone agree to do something by giving them reasons why they should โน้มน้าวใจ เกลี้ยกล่อม