National —
On July 11th, 2024, Mr. Jessada Yamsabai, the President of the Bangkok Drunk Driving Victims Network, along with over 50 members of other networks, submitted a petition to acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, Jarae Rungthanee, opposing the repeal of the ban on alcohol sales and consumption on trains and at train stations.
Jessada referenced a tragic 2014 incident where a young girl was sexually assaulted and murdered by an intoxicated railway officer, an event that led to the establishment of the alcohol ban to enhance passenger safety.
This ban was publicly announced on February 5th, 2015, under former Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, aimed at reducing accidents and ensuring passenger safety on trains.
The network has consistently advocated for the reduction of alcohol consumption and monitored the enforcement of related laws to mitigate its societal impact. They strongly oppose the State Railway of Thailand’s proposal to the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee to reconsider the ban on alcohol sales and consumption on trains and at train stations, purportedly to promote domestic tourism, Jesada said.
The network made the following requests to the State Railway of Thailand:
- Oppose the repeal of the alcohol ban on trains and at train stations, citing potential issues such as violence, altercations, and sexual harassment.
- Seek updates from the State Railway of Thailand on the support and compensation for the family of the 13-year-old victim from the 2014 incident, including psychological rehabilitation efforts.
- Urge the State Railway of Thailand to prioritize improving service quality, safety, and punctuality over promoting alcohol sales, which could lead to potential negative consequences.
- Call for public consultation before making decisions on such significant measures to ensure comprehensive consideration.
This opposition comes amid broader governmental efforts to relax alcohol regulations to boost tourism, including a recent proposal to allow alcohol sales on previously restricted religious holidays at major international airports.
These initiatives, however, have faced criticism from public health advocates who argue that increased alcohol availability could lead to higher accident rates and other societal harms.
