The bill to impose a total ban on alcohol advertising and raise the minimum age for buying alcoholic drinks from 18 to 20 is expected to be considered by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) by the middle of the month.

The Public Health Ministry believes the ban would be an effective measure to curb the rising rate of "new-face" drinkers.

"However, those interest groups who will be affected by the new law are lobbying hard to water down the bill, particularly the clause about the ban on alcohol advertising," said Songkran Phakchokdi, manager of the StopDrink Network.

"As a result, we would like to encourage the public to keep an eye on this legislation and beg the government - as well as the NLA - to maintain the interests of the public rather than certain people," he said.

"This bill is not aimed at stopping people from drinking alcohol, but to control the way alcohol affects society," he said.

Along with several other health advocacy groups, the network will arrange a mass marathon from all regions that will begin next Thursday and arrive at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok 10 days later.

Dr Kriengsak Vacharanukulkiet, the president of the Rural Doctor Society, said he hoped at least 6 million signatures could be obtained through the marathon campaign.

In 1987, 6 million signatures were gathered in a similar campaign to support the new legislation that protected the rights of the non-smoking population, he said.

Members of the public can also sign the petition to support the new alcohol bill at all state hospitals across the country, as well as at www.stopdrink.com, said Kriengsak.

Arthit Khwankhom

The Nation