The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has hailed the success of its anti-alcohol campaign which has resulted in a decrease of liquor given as New Year gifts from more than 30% to 7% over the past nine years.
Bundit Sornpaisarn, deputy manager of ThaiHealth, said the decrease in alcohol drink presents stems partly from the foundation's campaign implemented in 2008, called Hai Lao Taokap Chaeng (giving liquor as a gift is to put a curse on the receiver, resulting in their injury or death).
ThaiHealth's figures indicate the number of people obtaining alcoholic drinks as New Year gifts were 30.5% in 2008. That number dropped to 9% last year and 7% this year.
Dr Bundit said the foundation has worked hard to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption among the public through the campaign.
The agency had to compete with liquor companies which constantly came up with new marketing tactics to entice people to drink.
The number of road accidents doubled during the last New Year holidays compared with figures throughout the year.
Dr Bundit said alcohol consumption was a prime factor which caused nearly 37% of car accidents followed by speeding which resulted in more than 30% of road accidents over the New Year holidays.
In addition to traffic accidents, alcohol can lead to violence in family and society as well as cause up to 200 diseases.
Dr Bundit said the foundation previously launched a similar anti-alcohol drink campaign under the concept of a free-alcohol New Year gift basket. However, the campaign did not gain much success at the time.
ThaiHealth on Wednesday joined hands with Stopdrink Network to hold an anti-alcohol gift campaign at Victory Monument. A parade of participants marched from Santiphap Park to the monument.
In Thailand, a total of 22,356 people were killed in road accidents in 2016, of which half involved alcohol consumption, according to the World Health Organisation.
The death toll rises to about 300 or more during the long holidays of Songkran or New Year festivals when many people travel to their hometowns.
Songkran Phakchokdee, director of the network, said drinking and getting behind the wheel were equivalent to intending to kill others.
Pranom Chiangang, vice-president of the Textile Garment and Leather Workers Federation of Thailand, said the company has held an annual New Year party with no alcoholic drinks for nearly 10 years.
Funds which would be used to buy liquor are spent on gifts such as electric appliances or household items for a lucky draw for employees instead.
Ms Pranom said the firm decided to organise alcohol-free parties after altercations broke out between employees who consumed alcohol.
Chanoknak Laewsatheun, a leader of an anti-alcohol consumption campaign, arranged in tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, said she and her friends used to spend money on alcohol during New Year celebrations.
She said alcohol consumption had led to altercations among her friends and others several times.
This prompted her to take part in the campaign.
