In an emblematic move towards a healthier society, two leading ministries of Thailand—Interior and Education, have clinched acclaim for their determined bid to eradicate consumption of alcoholic beverages during farewell events for their retiring workforce post this month. Established nearly a decade ago, the policy was actualized in response to demands issued by the Office of the Basic Education Commission, StopDrink Network Office, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and a coalition of educators pushing for a sobriety-promoting environment.
The resolute stand of the Interior Ministry is anchored by its permanent secretary, Suttipong Juljarern, who reinforced the policy with a directive sent out on the 28th of August to provincial authorities and heads of divisions under the aegis of the ministry. Following suit, the 29th of August saw Suthin Kaewpana, the Education Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, setting forth a similar ordinance as reported by the Bangkok Post.
The torchbearer of the alcohol prohibition drive, Theera Watcharapranee, who stands at the helm of the StopDrink Network Office, has been instrumental in championing the alcohol bans and has invited others to throw their weight behind the initiative. “With a sizeable number of officials retiring this month, we’re witnessing an upswing in retirement parties. We intend for these initiatives to serve as a blueprint for other entities to mimic. We would also like to encourage individuals who successfully hosted alcohol-free events to share their experiences along with accompanying visuals on our Facebook page” he said.
In a revealing statistic, Theera stated that nearly 16 million Thais consume alcoholic drinks, males comprising roughly 46.4% of that number. Additionally, while male drinkers are dwindling, female consumers seem to be stepping up to fill the gap. Furthermore, the numbers are discouraging amongst the youth—with substance usage seemingly dropping among individuals in the 15–19 years age bracket. However, an early onset often signifies a descent into habitual drinking. This points to an alarming trend—despite the harsh regulations in place against alcohol advertising, vendors are leveraging the digital platforms to reach out to the young female demographic. This paves the way for an urgent need to address this critical concern to foster a healthier society.
Reflecting on the era of the Covid-19 pandemic peak, national alcohol bans were no stranger to the Thai population. Fast forward to New Year’s Eve of 2021, with the green light given for alcoholic beverages at countdown events. Nonetheless, for those who opted to ring in 2022 in a composed and sober environment, or merely desired a more family-friendly festivity, the Thai government presented the public with a separate alcohol-free “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022” at five distinct locations spread across Thailand.
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