Anti-booze campaigners sign up Surayud
Campaigners trying to reduce the availability of alcohol in Thailand - through restrictions on sales and advertising - have enlisted a high-profile supporter.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has added his name to a rapidly growing petition, which lists people who back the alcohol control bill. The bill faces opposition from businesses, especially over plans to totally ban alcohol advertising. If passed, the legislation will ban alcohol sales to people under-20 and sales near religious sites and educational institutes. The anti-alcohol network of 246 organisations is gathering signatures in support of the bill, due to go to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) this month. Caravans in support of the bill are converging on the capital from four directions and have collected around 4 million signatures along the way with the help of www.stopdrink.com and numerous health clinics. Teenage anti-booze campaigner Kan-anek Thanapornditsanand invited the premier to pledge his support. "I'm very glad that he accepted. It shows that he gives importance to the issue and wants to keep alcohol away from young people," Kan-anek said. Campaign coordinator Khamron Chudecha said the caravans were expected to collect more than 8 million signatures before they arrive at Sanam Luang this Sunday, where they will be joined by Bangkok joggers and more than 50,000 supporters. The signatures will be presented to the prime minister and NLA Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan. The movement aimed to protect the young and the vulnerable from problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption, Khamron said.
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