Thais’ drinking behavior worries PM

BANGKOK, July 10 (TNA) – Thai people are among top consumers of alcohol in the world so that the prime minister is concerned about this and has ordered strict control on alcoholic beverages, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said. According to him, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is worried especially about the number of young drinkers aged 15-19 as it is rising 4.96% yearly. The World Health Organization reported that Thai people’s alcoholic consumption was the 5th highest in the world and was the most common cause of traffic accident in the country especially during festive holidays. Besides, alcoholic consumption leadsto social problems including domestic violence, quarrels and crime. “The prime minister encourages people to refrain from alcoholic beverages during the three-month-long Buddhist Lent period. Past campaigns helped 81.2% of participants cut their household spending by 80.5%. 50.2% of them had better health and 31.1% were happy and relieved their household problems,” the government spokesman said. The prime minister ordered the serious implementation of national strategies on alcoholic beverages, especially effective control on them, in order to reduce alcoholic consumption, the number of young drinkers and problems related to the beverages, Lt Gen Sansern said. (END)