Group seeks alcohol ban on holidays

Protest leader Kamron Chudecha said the group wanted Witthaya to present the group's petition to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is chair of the national alcohol control policy committee, to ban alcohol sales on Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha day, Asaraha Bucha day, and Buddhist Lent Day.

"We want the health minister - and the ministry - to have a clear standing and policy to push forward the alcohol sale ban for the coming Songkran festival," he said.

Kamron said the government should pressure the national alcohol control committee and the control policy committee, so that enforcement of the law and strict restrictions on alcohol sales and consumption can get underway.

"We agree with the health ministry [proposal] to put warning pictures and messages on alcohol bottles" similar to those on tobacco products, he said.

Witthaya said he would present the group's demands to ban alcohol on Buddhist Days to the national alcohol control policy next month. After this meeting, he would issue regulations banning alcohol sales during that period.

As for the banning of alcohol sales during major festivals such as Songkran, Witthaya said such a regulation during a major festival would effect tourism.

To avoid this, he will examine other measures controlling alcohol consumption to reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by drinking during this period.

"Legal enforcement is not the only measure to control alcohol consumption and reduce the number of accidents during this period. We also have to strengthen the attitudes of people," he said.

According to a Ministry of the Interior survey, 97.4 percent of people across the country agreed with the alcohol sale ban during major festivals.

Another survey conducted by the Abac poll showed only 19.2 per cent of 2,757 people living in Bangkok and surrounding provinces disagreed with the holiday alcohol ban.