Bangkok--26 Oct--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
FACT proposes that the government adopt the most practical solutions to alcohol-related problems with measures including efficient law enforcement, developing a fair and efficient tax system and enhancing social values that discourage irresponsible drinking.
Mr Boonchuay Tongcharoenpulporn, General Secretary, Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand (FACT) said that FACT has agreed that the government should focus on three main areas:
1) Encouraging efficient law enforcement that is suitable for Thailand;
2) the deployment of a fair and efficient tax system; and
3) stimulating awareness and social instincts that limit irresponsible drinking in order to establish enhanced ethics and stronger human values.
The first community-focused activity of FACT involved supporting “Cares for Friends Club” under Thammasat Foundation. It consisted of the participation of university students from 60 institutions in arranging a seminar titled “Know Alcohol”. Members of the Thai Retailers Association, Thai Restaurant Association and restaurant operators also participated in the seminar. The objective of the seminar was to discourage alcohol consumption among young people by restricting the sale of alcohol at educational institutions and surrounding areas and to restrict the sale of alcoholic beverages to those who are younger than 20 years of age. The Club will organize another seminar on October 28, 2006 at Payap University.
“FACT will promote and encourage the organization of such activities under an broad agreement to solve alcohol related problems. We encourage the government to strictly enforce laws that will include imprisonment while stimulating awareness about the benefits of enhancing social values that serve to limit irresponsible drinking. FACT welcomes all initiatives that create perceptions that getting drunk is inappropriate behaviour and that driving while under the influence of alcohol is shameful. These are issues and represent approaches that will be more far-reaching and beneficial than a ban on advertisements. The government is aware that an ad ban will be not help much to decrease alcohol consumption,” concluded Mr Boonchuay.
For further information, please contact:
The Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand (FACT), Tel 0 2559 0252-4
Aziam Burson-Marsteller, Waraporn Somboonwanna, Tel. 0 2252 9871