National—
On March 29th, 2024, Thai national media reported that the Thai cabinet approved five bills to amend the alcoholic beverage control law. These proposed changes included extending selling hours and permitting more flexibility for advertisements.
The bills underwent their first reading in the council on March 27th, where they were met with a vote of 389 to 9 with 2 abstentions. To further scrutinize the proposed amendments, a special parliamentary committee was formed.
However, a network of advocacy groups dedicated to alcohol consumption control submitted an open letter to the council expressing their concerns. The letter, addressed to House Speaker Mr. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, raised alarms about the potential negative impacts of extending selling hours and permitting advertising regulations.
Ms. Duangduean Inthanu, a representative of the anti-alcohol advocacy network, emphasized that there was no valid reason to change the existing legislation on alcoholic beverage control. She argued that the proposed changes, aimed at stimulating the economy, would primarily benefit alcohol-selling businesses.
Mr. Santi Chomyong, a representative of an anti-alcohol advocacy group in Ayutthaya, urged the council to prioritize public interest over commercial gains. He emphasized the need for lawmakers to consider the potential adverse effects of increased alcohol availability on public health and safety.
In response, the Thai government emphasized the importance of promoting economic growth and tourism through more lenient alcohol regulations, while also safeguarding public health.
The bills have several more Parliament readings and must get through their committee meetings before it would move to the Senate as a next step and still have a way to go before it would become law, notes TPN Media.
Read about the latest article about the alcoholic beverage control bill.
