Bangkok Bans Alcohol at Songkran Events. Thailand’s war on alcohol continued Tuesday with Bangkok outlawing drinking at venues hosting Songkran festive events and requiring prior permission for group gatherings during the Thai New Year. Bangkok Herald

Thailand's war on alcohol continued Tuesday with Bangkok outlawing drinking at venues hosting Songkran festive events and requiring prior permission for group gatherings during the Thai New Year.

Khajit Chatchawanit, city hall's permanent secretary, said any event hosting more than 1,000 people must obtain approval in advance from the communicable diseases committee.

Events with more than 100 people, but less than 1,000, would need permission from a respective district chief, he added.

Khajit also said that Bangkok's communicable disease committee would introduce disease control measures in accordance with guidelines from the operational committee of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

Regarding its alcohol consumption policy, he said, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration allows booze at the restaurants that have met the SHA+ standard until 11 p.m.

Suthat Chotanaphan, director of the Institute for Disease Control and Immigration Prevention at the Department of Disease Control, said Songkran activities could be organized, but water fights and powder smearing would be prohibited.