Group targets underage drinking near Thai Chamber of Commerce Uni
Students read a board showing the Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand’s rules on how relevant parties can help prevent underage drinking.
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Alcohol control groups have got together to tackle under-age drinking in the community around the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
The group, led by the Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand (Fact), in collaboration with "Cares for Friends Club" under the Thammasat Foundation, and the UTCC, unveiled six initiatives yesterday. They included not selling alcohol to students wearing uniform, routine ID-card examination, enforcement of opening/closing hours, pub and restaurants to warn customers about alcohol misuse, and controlling and monitoring anyone who violates the law. The group also enjoyed the backing of the surrounding community including retailers, pubs and restaurants, and university student networks from 60 institutions. A committee has also been formed with representatives from all stakeholders - lecturers, students, business entrepreneurs, and police officers - in order to monitor and examine the community around the UTCC to prevent underage drinking. Boonchuay Tongcharoenpul-porn, general secretary of FACT, said that to create a national policy to solve the problem of underage drinking, it was important to invite all stakeholders to agree on measures to operate businesses in a responsible manner. FACT members, including retailers and restaurants, are working on establishing rules to guide an ethical approach to managing their businesses. UTCC president, Assoc Prof Chiradet Ousawat, said voluntary cooperation would consist of various methods to solve under-age drinking at the outset, rather than relying on legal mechanisms, which were commonly adopted when the problem had already reached an acute phase. "I prefer implementing controls on behaviour rather than a total ban on alcohol advertising," he said, and added, "There are many studies that confirm advertising bans do not limit excessive consumption of alcohol." Chiradet suggested that universities should be part of 'control' areas, and "all restaurants and pub owners should cooperate with the universities to create national policies for a safe society". Somsak Dangboonrueang, the secretary of the Owners' Club, which consists of 11 nearby pubs and restaurants surrounding the UTCC, said all restaurant members ran their businesses with responsibility and in an ethical manner. The owner of 'You-Klang-Soi' restaurant in Vibhavadee Soi 2, Somsak said the total advertising ban, which takes effect on December 3, would not have a significant impact on the restaurant's business. "Formal advertising, including TV commercials and billboards, have only a little impact on the decision of consumers to drink alcohol. They rely more on informal influences such as friends and the word-of-mouth," said Somsak. Kasama Tayawat, a member of the committee to examine and control under-age drinking, and owner of the '18-19' restaurant also in Vibhavadee Soi 2, said that half of the customers at their restaurant were university students and the other half were first-time workers. "This group of young people does not really rely on advertising - but pricing," said Kasama, adding that some loyal customers would always demand their favourite brand," he said. Kasama said that effective control, monitoring and implementation of existing regulations would lead to more transparent business operations. However, those laws need to be fair and efficient.
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn The Nation
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