National —
Thailand has seen a 30% surge in booze sales during the recent Songkran festival in contrast to a declined number of drunk traffic accidents nationally during the festival year over year, according to Thanakorn Kuptachit, an advisor to the Thai Alcohol Business Association.
Other related businesses such as restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and event organizers also benefited from the festivity.
Thanakorn said it was notable that this year’s accident statistics during Songkran saw lower cases of drink-related accidents compared to last year, as people were more careful while travelling and took responsibility by not drinking before driving despite the fact that this was the first full-on Songkran in four years.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Thanakorn urged the new government being elected in May to fast track the extension of legal closing times for nightspots and cancel the alcohol sale prohibition between 2 PM to 5 PM in tourist spots in order to stir up spirit and tourism businesses.
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