Alcohol consumption bans at retirement parties win praise

Two key Thai ministries, the Interior and Education, have gained recognition for their commitment to stamping out alcohol consumption during retirement parties for their staff ending their service after this month.

Introduced seven years ago, this policy was brought into effect following requests made by the StopDrink Network Office, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and a group of educators advocating for a society free from alcohol consumption.

The policy has been upheld by Suttipong Juljarern, the Interior Ministry’s permanent secretary, who reasserted it in a mandate issued on August 28 to provincial leaders and heads of departments under the ministry’s authority. On August 29, Suthin Kaewpana, the Education Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, issued an equivalent order, reported Bangkok…