Health sector optimistic over Thai government's new ban on alcohol

BANGKOK, August 24 (TNA) - The Thai health sector is optimistic over a new move by the government to ban sales and distributions of alcoholic beverages in the premises of government offices and state enterprises which came into force on August 23, assessing that the new regulation will possibly minimise Thailand's overall alcohol consumption at a certain level in the near future. Dr. Samarn Footrakul, Director of the Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control, acknowledged on Friday that club houses in the premises of government offices and state enterprises are allowed to sell and distribute alcoholic drinks as usual. According to the senior health official, the ban may, however, reduce the overall domestic alcohol consumption only at a small level, as local traders will likely to intensify their marketing campaigns to lure younger drinkers. (TNA)