The amendment will add a clause to the Customs Department regulation disallowing pubs or similar venues from operating within a 500-metre zone. The current regulations only prohibit such places from operating within campuses or in areas adjacent to them, said Thammasat University deputy rector Parinya Thewanaruemitkul.

Four conditions were proposed for the amendment: lPermits must not be issued for newly opened pubs within the zone;

-Annual renewal of permits for pubs already within the zone must be approved by university management;

lPermits will be revoked immediately in case alcohol sales violate laws or the new regulations;

-The sale of alcohol to anyone under 20 is prohibited unconditionally.

Parinya said these conclusions were agreed on by a meeting of representatives of 21 universities at Thammasat University's Tha Prachan campus.

No representatives from Chulalongkorn and Payab universities attended the meeting, but they later approved the conclusions.

The demand for stricter controls was prompted by frequent drunken brawls and the occasional fatality at these venues in recent years. Police cannot take criminal action against the owners over alcohol sales if no criminal offence has occurred in the operation of their businesses.

The amendment will be submitted to the new finance minister with a request that it be implemented before the end of the year when permits are traditionally renewed.

Parinya said there were four "booze shops" within Thammasat University's campuses that were on a blacklist. The venue owners had lodged a number of civil counter-suits against the university's management to prevent it from trying to revoke their rental contracts.

Anucha Nilpraphan, a Khon Kaen University official, said two alcohol venues were operating on his campus and the university was also facing similar civil counter-suits. One venue has its alcoholic drinks supplied by an influential local liquor agent.