The government’s ban on alcohol sales on significant Buddhist holidays has been denounced by influential members of the Move Forward Party ( MFP ), which claims that it restricts freedom.
Amarat Chokpamitkul, an MFP professional, voiced her opposition to the restrictions on Vesak Day, which honors the Buddha’s delivery, revolution, and passing, on social media.
Because Thailand’s law guarantees religious freedom and because people of other faiths besides Buddhism reside there, Ms. Amarat wrote that she disagreed with the restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages on times associated with Buddhism.
To avoid carelessness and misbehavior, Buddhism advises people to abstain from drinking beer. Infringers of the ban, which exempts alcohol sales from duty-free shops at airports, risk a prison sentence of up to six months and / or fines in the range of 10,000 baht.
According to Ms. Amarat, such a ban was uncommon in other nations, and authorities should impose various measures to regulate alcohol consumption, like enforcing drink-driving laws.
According to Ms. Amarat, the nation has adherents of other religions and supports religious liberty.
Thaopipop Limjitakon, a Bangkok Move Forward MP-elect who previously proposed legislation to break the beer drink industry’s monopoly, wrote that imposing the ban on alcohol sales on the basis of religious convictions violates the constitution regarding freedom of religion and occupation.