Cabinet asks council of state on alcohol sales ban on April 13

Despite growing pressure from activists, the Cabinet yesterday decided not to approve immediately a proposed ban.

It insisted that it must seek the consultation first.

"The Council of State will get back to us within one week," Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said.

He was speaking after he attended the Cabinet meeting.

During the meeting, Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi proposed alcohol sales be banned up to 5.59pm on April 13 as a measure to curb road casualties.

April 13 is a national holiday during the Songkran Festival, which usually runs till April 15.

Because hundreds of thousand people hit the road during the Songkran holidays, the road casualties are high during the period.

Many activists saw the government's decision to seek the Council of State's legal interpretation as a tactic to delay the ban on alcohol sale.

An informed source said most Cabinet members are opposed to Manit's proposal.

According to the source, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa suggested the ban would hurt the campaign to promote tourism during the Songkran Festival. Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat commented it would be difficult to enforce the ban because most police would be deployed to facilitate traffic. Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said the government should seek the co-operation of shops that sell alcohol.

Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam said the Ministry promised to keep reminding motorists about safe driving during the period.

"We will try to reduce road casualties," he said.