Alcohol, cigarette sales banned during Thailand's Songkran holidays

BANGKOK, April 2 (TNA) - Up to 136 private and public agencies have joined hands to advocate safe and alcohol-cum-tobacco-free Songkran Festival in Thailand this year, teaming up to ban alcohol and cigarette sales, but promoting traditional Thai cultures. Professor Dr. Udomsilp Srisangnam, Advisor to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), said Monday that he is pleased to see an increase of 10, from 60 to 70 celebration sites, in 50 Thai provinces, from 44 provinces, to have promised to join the alcohol-free campaign during the upcoming Songkran holidays. Professor Dr. Udomsilp acknowledged this year's water splashing festival will be held in 20 Thai streets named with Khao or "rice", including the Khao Suay street in the eastern Trat province, the Khao Tom street in the central Nakhon Nayok province, the Khao Piak street in the northeastern Udon Thani province, the Khao Lam street in Loei province, also in the Thai Northeast, and the Khao Yum street in the southernmost Pattani province, all of which have also joined the alcohol-free campaign and some of which have even introduced strict measures against alcohol, namely installing several closed circuit television (CCTVs) at celebrating sites. Meanwhile, the ThaiHealth has proposed to the government as well that a temborary ban on alcohol sales on roads and streets nationwide, covering those on board public vehicles, be imposed during the upcoming traditional Thai New Year festivity in mid-April, and that the Excise Department temporarily suspend its licence approvals of alcohol trading during the Songkran Festival. (TNA)