Legal penalty imposed against violators of alcohol ban on Vesek Day

BANGKOK, May 24 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health has strictly banned the sale of alcohol throughout the country on Vesek or Visakha Bucha Day 2013, which falls on May 24, with violators to face a stern legal penalty. According to Deputy Public Health Minister Dr. Cholanan Srikaew, shops, bars and restaurants nationwide are barred from selling alcohol for 24 hours, from Thursday's (May 23) midnight to Friday's (May 24) midnight, except hotels registered under the Thai Hotel Act. Dr. Cholanan told journalists on Thursday that the legal ban on the sale of alcohol in Thailand also enforces on the other three important Buddhist occasions, including Makha Bucha, Buddhist Lent Eve and Buddhist Lent. The deputy public health minister warned that those who violate the legal ban will face a jail term of six-months and/or a 10,000-baht-fine each. (TNA)