New plan to allow later boozing draws flak

Allowing pubs to open until 4am in some tourist provinces will simply increase casualties from alcohol-related causes, states the Centre of Alcohol Studies associated with Maha Sarakham University’s Faculty of Pharmacy.

It opposes plans simply by Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to seek permission through the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to allow pubs to spread out two hours later.

Mr Phiphat has previously said he would publish his plan to the particular CCSA next month just for consideration. If the CCSA agrees with it, it will come into effect within October. The tourist provinces include Bangkok, Pattaya of Chon Buri, Krabi, Phuket, Hua Hin of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samui of Surat Thani and Chiang Mai.

He claimed  pushing back the curfew would boost the night time economy, not boost alcohol sales.

However , Surasak Chaiyasong, deputy movie director of the centre, stated the alcohol curfew is endorsed from the World Health Business (WHO) to prevent deaths and problems from alcohol-related causes.  

This individual said many nations have alcohol-free hrs or alcohol-free days  each week to  decrease fights, assaults, driving while intoxicated and other nighttime offences.

In contrast, the ease in sales of alcohol, especially at night, can increase the number of casualties from drunk driving plus assaults.

In Iceland, the road accident rate rises after an alcohol-sale hour extension.

Mr Surasak added that, according to a report in Norwegian, one hour extra to get alcohol sales has raised the actual abuse rate simply by 16%.