Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Government Rejects Alcohol Ban

The Thai government announced that it would not implement a ban on the sale of alcohol during Songkla.  The government was worried about damaging the already ailing tourism industry, and instead will focus heavily on preventing drinking and driving.  There was an article in the Bangkok Post a few days ago that talked about how one of the government ministers is a wine connoisseur, and that was part of the reason for his objection to any ban. 

I think that this was a good decision.  The last thing that Thailand needs is for tourist to be disappointed because they cannot drink a beer at the bar or have a glass of wine with dinner. 

Of course, some of proponents of the ban were not really interested in the drunk driving problem.  There is an element here that believes that drinking is wrong, and would ban it if possible.  They protested and successfully blocked the listing of the company that brews Chang Beer on the Thai Stock Exchange, so they are not without any influence.  I'm glad they lost this round.  As a consolation, however, I pledge that I will not drink during those days. 

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