Representatives of restaurants and entertainment establishments submitted a petition addressed to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today, asking for clarification and review of the new Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, which came into force on November 8th.
Under the new law, sale of alcoholic drinks at convenience stores, restaurants and entertainment establishments is prohibited from midnight until 11am of the next day and from 2pm to 5pm. Drinking in restaurants or entertainment venues after midnight is also prohibited.
Drinkers and owners of restaurants or entertainment venues who violate the law are liable to a fine of 10,000 baht if convicted.
Sorathep Rojpotchanarat, chairman of The Restaurant Club, said that the law, which is an updated version of an executive decree issued by a military junta in 1971, is irrelevant in the present context of the Thai society and the behavior of consumers.
He said that, if a tourist visits a food shop for lunch and a few bottles of beer and remains there drinking past 2pm, just to while away the time or for recreational purposes, under the new law he or she stands be arrested and fined up to 10,000 baht. “Does it make any sense?” he asked rhetorically.
Sorathep suggested that the Alcoholic Drinks Board, which proposed the ban, appears to be concerned only with the health issue, without taking into consideration the economic or tourism aspects.
Sanga Ruangwattanakul, chairman of the Khao Sarn Road Business Operators Association, claimed that about 20,000 tourists visit the area daily, adding that, if some of them are fined 10,000 baht for drinking beyond the permissible hours, tourism in the area would be badly affected. He suggested the Board review the law, claiming that it is obsolete and irrelevant.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat, spokesman for the PM’s Office, who received the petition letter, said that the prime minister is fully aware of the impacts of the law and the concerns voiced by business operators.
He also said that the prime minister had instructed the Board to hold an urgent meeting on Thursday to review the law and to report back to him in December.
He beseeched the business operators to be patient, adding that the government will try to address this problem as quickly as possible.
