Update
No alcohol ban for Songkran is the ruling from the National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control. Authorities feared a ban could harm Thailand's tourism industry.BOOZE has become the battleground this Songkran as two of Thailand's most influential policymakers take opposite stances.
In one corner is Public Health, calling for alcohol to be banned or at the very least seriously restricted over the three days of the water festival, from midnight on April 11.
In the other corner is Tourism and Sport, pointing out that Thailand's renowned international industry will suffer if any kind of ban is imposed.
So let's ask some key questions . . . do tourists always need access to alcohol, even if it causes deaths and mayhem on Thailand's roads?
Or are they prepared to forgo a drink for three days to save lives?
And should bar owners and bar staff be the ones who sacrifice their income, from a legal industry?
The Bangkok Post reports that Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa opposed the Public Health Ministry's plan to ban the sales, saying it would harm the already crippled tourism industry.
But Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbode insisted a survey conducted by his ministry had found that most tourists do not consider drinking to be the main purpose of their visit.
They prefer to enjoy the culture and visit tourist destinations.
There is no doubt that alcohol fuels the level of road deaths and mishaps over Songkran. On Phuket we've seen motorcycle riders topple from their bikes, unassisted.
But it's also true that on Phuket, against the national trend, the number of mishaps has been slashed by an awareness campaign and police checkpoints throughout the festival.
In some years, it has actually been safer on Phuket roads at Songkran than at most other times of the year.
Public Health has proposed two options:.
..A complete halt to alcohol sales from midnight April 11 to midnight April 14.
..Licensed restaurants and entertainment venues to serve alcohol from 6pm to midnight during the three-day period.
Tourism's Khun Chumpol (we presume drinking is not yet a sport) said the government should delay the ban on alcohol sales during Songkran until at least next year.
He said the government needed additional tourism revenues to reverse the sharp drop in earnings from exports and investment.
Phuket is likely to be packed with tourists during the three days of the festival, which this year coincides with Easter.
If there is a total ban on alcohol being served, should the tourists who have booked to visit Phuket be warned, so they have the chance to cancel and go to another country?
Public Health is rightly concerned about the cost of a festival in deaths and damaged lives. But is an alcohol ban the answer, or should moderation be encouraged by awareness and improved policing?
The National Committee on Alcohol Policy is to choose which of the two Public Health proposals will be implemented, or possibly reject them both.
Phuketwan on the Andaman road toll
Phuket Road Toll Plunges, Scores Saved
Good News Phuket's notorious roads may still be unsafe for tourists on hired motorcycles but the number of deaths has reduced dramatically, probably because of safety campaigns.
Phuket Road Toll Plunges, Scores Saved
Countdown Clocks Improve Safety: Police
While last year produced an excellent improvement in Phuket's road safety record, police believe more countdown clocks. There are also problems with one risky corner and road surfaces.
Countdown Clocks Improve Safety: Police
Phuket Lanta Bus Crashes: Nine Singaporeans Hurt
Photo Album Phuketwan is on the scene soon after a Phuket to Koh Lanta bus crashes today. The images are shocking. But it provides a message for the holiday season: slow down and live.
Phuket Lanta Bus Crashes: Nine Singaporeans Hurt
Bent Motorcycles, Blood on a Sunny Day
Photo Album: The road toll trauma of the Phuket region is no longer reported regularly by the English language press. By chance, we are on the scene soon after motorcycles collide.
Bent Motorcycles, Blood on a Sunny Day
If tourists can't go to bars for three days, without warning, many will be outraged and never return to Thailand. This April is the last peak in tourism before the bottom falls out by the second half of the month. The conclusion drawn from this obtrusive busy body's poll is intentionally misleading. Of course tourists don't come all the way to Thailand for drinking first and foremost. But does that mean they don't want to be able to have a few drinks at night? Most don't drive anyway. And the irresponsible minority of reckless drunks who drive & drink will already have bought their booze in advance anyway. Who's in charge in Thailand these days, the Taliban?
Posted by Mango on March 19, 2009 12:18