Vice Governor Sommai Preechasilipa, speaking at a meeting yesterday (December 24), said, “Phuket is a tourist destination so we are ask for the cooperation of the public not to buy alcohol and tobacco.”
The meeting, at the Provincial Health Office, was called after the Ministry of Health asked for cooperation in enforcing the 2008 Alcohol Control Statute during the New Year period.
“If everybody is of the same opinion and accepts that society is important, we can solve this problem. We can also create awareness for children and teach them to follow the rules and regulations in schools and university.”
She stressed that distribution of gift baskets containing alcohol, promoting or selling alcohol to anyone under 20 years of age, the sale and consumption of alcohol in public parks or in workplaces, and drinking while driving or sitting in a car are illegal.
The meeting also noted the times during which alcohol may legally be sold. These are 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to midnight. Street vendors of alcohol are illegal and advertising of alcohol is strictly controlled.
Police officers at the meeting said the campaign should apply only only during festival periods, but year-round. They also felt that buyers as well as sellers should be penalised for sales or purchases of alcohol outside legal hours.