The Centre for Alcohol Studies (CAS) has voiced concerns that the government’s proposals to lift zoning restrictions on alcohol sales and extend the opening hours of nightlife venues nationwide to 4am could strain the country’s public health system.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has recently assigned the Interior and Public Health Ministries the task of completing a study on the proposals by January.
The policies, aimed at boosting tax and tourist revenue, were proposed by nightclub operators and business groups.
Dr Polathep Vichitkunakorn, CAS director, said according to a study, the 2023 ministerial regulation on extended operating hours in five zoning areas of Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui, had resulted in negative impacts on public health and safety.
The zoning announcement increased road accidents and injuries by 12% and led to a 13% rise in road fatalities.
Moreover, the fatality rate in major tourism provinces such as Bangkok, Phuket and Chon Buri during the zoning announcement was reported to spike to 22%, while the number of intoxicated driving cases doubled by 115% compared to the previous year.
The zoning had also not resulted in economic growth, he said. Some provinces outside of the zoning area reported double the revenue and number of tourists.
Dr Polathep also added that both proposals allowed continuous drinking behaviours. While the nightclub licencing extension allowed clubbers to drink extensively, the lifting of the afternoon sales ban allowed labourers and youths, for example, to access alcohol during a period that was supposed to help reduce alcohol consumption.
“Alcohol liberalisation policies may be presented as an economic shortcut, but academic evidence confirms that this is a dead end in terms of public health and safety,” said Dr Polathep.
“Evidence clearly indicates that the health and social costs outweigh the economic benefits.”
The CAS director said there must be tightening regulations in the zoning areas like strict ID card checks and breathalyser tests before patrons enter and exit such venues.
He also proposed there should be a focus on quality tourism within the culture, nature and health sectors, due to their potential for generating long-term income without increasing the burden on public health and safety.