Alcoholic drinks banned in national parks during New Year festival

BANGKOK, Dec 4 (TNA) -- The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation prohibits tourists from carrying alcoholic beverages to national parks. Violators will be expelled and fined 1,000 baht and face one-month imprisonment. Thanya Netithammakul, director-general of the department, said tourists booked all accommodations in national parks during New Year holidays and park officials were concerned about possible nuisance and fights under the influence of alcoholic drinks. Therefore, the ban is imposed. “The department is concerned about the influences of alcoholic drinks that can cause accidents, claim lives and damage property. Officials at park entrances were instructed to communicate the ban to visitors. Lenient officials will be punished,” he said. (TNA)