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Published on April 19, 2008

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation

Wimonwan Udomphorn, vice president of liquor importer Diageo (Thailand), said the government needed to tighten up control of the many shops that have no licence to sell liquor but do it all day long anyway.

Licensed stores are prohibited from selling liquor to consumers from 2-5pm every day.

She pointed out there was still a lack of strict measurement of alcohol levels of drivers during holidays.

Recently the government remarked that sales of alcohol during the festive seasons should be outlawed in a bid to reduce traffic accidents.

If the government stops holiday sales, it would hurt the whole liquor industry while missing the root cause of the problem, Wimonwan added.

Chatchai Viratyosin, marketing manager for Singha Corp, said he supported the government's move as it is a proactive measure, but the government should also understand that drinkers should be mature adults and promote the idea of drinking with responsibility.

The problem does not rest with the liquor-makers or sellers, he said.

In foreign countries, only people aged 18 and above can drink alcohol legally, he said. And they are inculcated with the notion that they should not drink when driving, so the Thai government should concentrate on promoting awareness of the matter.

Halting alcohol sales during the festive season does not hit at the root of the problem, since drinkers would rush to stock up on booze on the days before the embargo period, Chatchai added.