If Thais refrained from drinking alcohol for one day, the country could save Bt540 million, Deputy Public Health Minister Pansiri Kulnartsiri said yesterday.

If people kicked their boozing habit during the three months of Buddhist Lent, they would be healthier physically and mentally, would be left with enough money to splurge and save, and would enjoy a warmer family life with more time to spend together, she said.

During a press conference marking National Stop Drinking Day, which coincided with Buddhist Lent Day, Pansiri said hitting the bottle had caused losses of Bt200 billion per year in economic, social and quality of life aspects.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 also prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages on Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalaha Bucha and Buddhist Lent days, she said. Offenders could face up to six months in jail and/or up to a Bt10,000 fine.

Citing a 2007 National Statistical Office report that 15 million Thais aged over 15 were drinkers, with about 11.5 million of them of working age, Pansiri warned that most drinkers will suffer from health and social problems such as road accidents and domestic violence.

News item courtesy of The Nation at www.nationmultimedia.com