President Chanin Donavanik said the act would hit the overall tourism industry, especially hotels, restaurants and bars.

The new act would prohibit all types of advertising of alcoholic products, raise the age for buying alcohol, limit places where it could be sold and restrict drinking times.

"These measures would damage the industry because many tourists want to drink some beer or other beverages in a hotel's lobby before bed. Many of them always have dinner at the hotel's restaurant," said Chanin.

The THA is seeking its members' views before making a further appeal to the government. It will hold a seminar soon, aimed to collect information and data from operators.

Chanin said the tourism industry would not grow without sensible rules on alcohol.

He claimed the prohibition of alcohol advertising would not reduce the number of drinkers.

"We accept smoking laws because they are welcomed around the world. But the Alcohol Act should consider the effects on the tourism industry," said Chanin.

Prakit Shinamourphong, vice president of the THA, said that the average occupancy rate of hotels during January and February was 4-5 per cent lower than the same period last year due to negative news of bombings and political uncertainty.

Hotels in Phuket and Krabi bucked the trend with rates of 90 to 95 per cent, an increase of 30 to 35 per cent from last year. Pattaya hotels also did well with rates of 85 per cent, up from 83 per cent.

But hotels in Koh Samui witnessed a drop of 9 per cent to 73.2 per cent, while Bangkok hotels slumped 10 per cent to 70-76 per cent.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation