Development and Advocacy of Thailand’s Alcohol Control Policy

Professor Dr.Udomsil Srisangnam

July 13th,2005

three main concepts of Thailand’s Alcohol Policy Development

1. aims at generating the country’s income

2. focuses on controlling alcohol supply and minimizing traffic accidents affected by alcohol

3. emphasizes on controlling alcohol beverage for the benefit of public health and the society

The Alcohol Policy for the Country’s Income

• the Liquor Act B.E. 2329 (A.C.1786): prohibit people from distilling alcohol without permission

• privatization for liquor and spirit production, distribution and taxation as well as the right to suppress illegal alcohol beverage production

• King Rama 1st: Monopoly by Private Sector, under state authority; King Rama 6th: Monopoly by State; A.C.2000: License System

* 543 2329 17B.E. = A.C. + , eg. B.E. = A.C.86

• Customs Act B.E. 2469 (A.C.1926) and Liquor and Spirit Act B.E. 2493 (A.C.1950), while changing tax rates according to economies

• In 2003, the government cut liquor tax to promote its OTOP products, and ordered the Department of Excise Tax to provide the One Stop Service to issue permits for producing rural liquor and spirit.

• All efforts are aimed at economic development and government’s earnings

Beginning of Alcohol Control Policy

• limited selling time– 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 2 a.m. since 1961– 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 5 p.m. - 12 p.m. since 1972

• Prohibit Selling to Drunken since 1966

• Prohibit Drunk Driving since 1979

• Warning messages since 1997

• All these were commencement of basic alcohol problem control policies, which nevertheless are not comprehensive

The Alcohol Control Policy for Public Health and Social Benefits

• Three main factors underlying

1. Establishment of Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2540 (1997)

2. Establishment of Thai Health Promotion Foundation

3. Thailand’s Health System Revolution Stream

The Alcohol Control Policy for Public Health and Social Benefits

• Limited Drinking Age not under 18 years

• Limited Selling Point in educational institutions and religion places, and limiting alcohol sale in oil service stations will be announced this year 2005

• Campaign

• Development of Alcohol Control Organizations– Alcohol Beverage Consumption Control

Commission – Center for Alcohol Studies– Public Health Policy Program – Stop Drink Network

Next step to control alcohol consumption in Thailand

• Promote strong enforcement of existing laws and regulations

• Issue more laws and measures to lower alcohol consumption

Issue more laws and measures to lower alcohol consumption

• Tax policy

• limit the density of liquor and spirit shops and selling area

• Total ban on advertisements or Counter advertisement

• Control packaging of products aimed at youth

• Taking liquor and spirit business out of the free trade framework

All these efforts are aimed at making a

“Healthy Thailand”