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SDVegas
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I note the Government still seem to have no clear position on whether they are banning alcohol sales at Songkran...
SONGKRAN FESTIVAL
Health minister and deputy at odds over booze sales ban
By: APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Published: 14/02/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai is at odds with his deputy over the banning of alcohol sales during Songkran this year. Mr Witthaya yesterday said he wanted to be certain that any regulations announced for curbing alcohol sales during long holidays would not affect the hotel industry.
''I don't want the anti-alcohol campaign to worsen the tourism industry,'' he said.
But his deputy Manit Nopamornbodee fully supported such a ban, saying the campaign has to be undertaken in a bid to reduce deaths and road accidents.
Mr Witthaya said he would discuss the issue with his deputy before making any decision on alcohol regulations. He would also listen to the Alcohol Watch Network's proposal aimed at reducing the number of road accidents during long weekends.
Mr Manit, who oversees the anti-drink-driving campaign, earlier said the sale of alcohol would be prohibited during Songkran holidays.
The official holiday for Songkran this year is between April 13 and April 15.
The sale of alcohol is only allowed between 11am and 2pm and 5pm and midnight, according to the Alcohol Control Act which took effect on Feb 14, 2007.
Mr Manit also gave the green light for the Office of Alcohol Control to start studying the possibility of warning picture labels on alcohol bottles. The plan would start with locally-made beverages first because the Alcohol Control Act does not cover imported drinks.
Kamron Chudecha, Alcohol Watch Network coordinator, said about 100 network members would meet Mr Witthaya on Monday to ask for his stance on alcohol control.
They would also submit to the minister surveys by poll centres and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation showing that a majority of the population agreed with the ban on alcohol sales during Songkran and long weekends to reduce deaths and road accidents.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:39 am on Feb. 16, 2009
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SDVegas
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....and then today:
Govt urged to ban sales of alcohol on Songkran Day
Published on February 16, 2009
Some 200 members of the Alcohol Watch Network and its allies rallied outside the Public Health Ministry Monday, demanding Health Minister Wittaya Kaewparadai ban alcohol sales on Buddhist holidays and major festivals such as Songkran and the New Year celebrations.
Protest leader Kamron Chudecha said the group wanted Wittaya to forward 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.
Wittaya 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.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 4:42 am on Feb. 16, 2009
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