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The Ministry of Public Health is in the final stages of revising the Alcohol Control Act 2008. Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced that the House's recent approval of the bill is part of efforts to liberalise a market expected to boost tourism and support smaller breweries.
The Senate is now reviewing the amendments, which aim to update sales restrictions and advertising curbs while imposing stricter regulations like heftier fines for selling alcohol to minors.
The legislation will repeal military-era restrictions on legal drinking hours and allow updates approved by the National Alcohol Control Committee.
The Ministry will also manage further actions, including announcements about alcohol sales onboard trains and in designated areas. A significant change is the increase in fines for selling alcohol to minors, raising the maximum penalty from 20,000 to 50,000 Baht.
During the National No Alcohol Day campaign, coinciding with Buddhist Lent, the government is promoting a "Zero Drink, Zero Death" initiative to reduce alcohol-induced fatalities.
The Ministry aims to avoid legal conflicts and respect the rights of drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Despite 20–30% of Thais over 15 consuming alcohol, the majority of the population abstains.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will officially announce alcohol sales at Bangkok's Hua Lamphong railway station, taking into account the station's appropriate safety measures.
However, we will continue to ban alcohol sales at other stations and aboard trains. Outstanding directives regarding alcohol sales during major Buddhist holidays remain undecided until the Ministry of Interior provides its input.
These changes promise to modernise Thailand's alcohol laws, balancing economic interests with public health concerns.
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