April 15th, 2007, 06:20
"Liquor stores flouting sales ban - Bangkok Post
45% of road fatalities linked to alcohol
By Apinya Wipatayotin
Some liquor shops are breaching a ban on alcohol sales, citing the need to keep customers happy during the long Songkran break. According to a Public Health Ministry survey released yesterday, 15% of liquor shops are breaching regulations banning the sale of alcohol. They say the customers' needs must come first, so they are prepared to flout the ban.
The government's Road Safety War Room said more than 2,000 accidents have claimed almost 170 lives over the past three days. More than 45% were related to drunk-driving. Yesterday, 965 road accidents were reported in which 71 people died and 1,062 were injured. The number of deaths related to drinking should encourage agencies to strengthen curbs on alcohol sales, especially during the remaining holidays, said Deputy Public Health Minister Morakot Pornkasem. ''We have found that many shops that are banned from selling alcohol beverages, including convenience stores at petrol stations and food and drink vendors at temple fairs, sell the products to customers regardless,'' said Dr Morakot. Other stores outside banned areas were found to sell alcohol during the prohibited period, he said.
According to Excise Department regulations, selling alcohol is banned between 2pm to 5pm and from midnight to 11am.
The operator of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Khon Kaen's Muang district was fined over 30,000 baht yesterday for selling alcohol outside restricted hours. Police also charged the shop owner with selling alcohol to minors.
Hoax emergency calls at the ministry's 1669 emergency hotline are also causing headaches over the Songkran holidays. The total number of calls had jumped three times on last year's record. However, more than 2,100 calls, or around 700 a day, were hoax calls. Some callers, mostly young people, just want to make fun with the call centre staff or make up stories."
Bangkok Post
45% of road fatalities linked to alcohol
By Apinya Wipatayotin
Some liquor shops are breaching a ban on alcohol sales, citing the need to keep customers happy during the long Songkran break. According to a Public Health Ministry survey released yesterday, 15% of liquor shops are breaching regulations banning the sale of alcohol. They say the customers' needs must come first, so they are prepared to flout the ban.
The government's Road Safety War Room said more than 2,000 accidents have claimed almost 170 lives over the past three days. More than 45% were related to drunk-driving. Yesterday, 965 road accidents were reported in which 71 people died and 1,062 were injured. The number of deaths related to drinking should encourage agencies to strengthen curbs on alcohol sales, especially during the remaining holidays, said Deputy Public Health Minister Morakot Pornkasem. ''We have found that many shops that are banned from selling alcohol beverages, including convenience stores at petrol stations and food and drink vendors at temple fairs, sell the products to customers regardless,'' said Dr Morakot. Other stores outside banned areas were found to sell alcohol during the prohibited period, he said.
According to Excise Department regulations, selling alcohol is banned between 2pm to 5pm and from midnight to 11am.
The operator of a 7-Eleven convenience store in Khon Kaen's Muang district was fined over 30,000 baht yesterday for selling alcohol outside restricted hours. Police also charged the shop owner with selling alcohol to minors.
Hoax emergency calls at the ministry's 1669 emergency hotline are also causing headaches over the Songkran holidays. The total number of calls had jumped three times on last year's record. However, more than 2,100 calls, or around 700 a day, were hoax calls. Some callers, mostly young people, just want to make fun with the call centre staff or make up stories."
Bangkok Post