Alcohol sales easing awaits ministry nod

Clarification needed for ordinary retailers

- APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

The committee on alcohol beverage control has acknowledged that the easing of alcohol bans on Buddhist holy days has yet to be extended to ordinary retail shops, pending clarification from the Ministry of Interior.

Dr Nipon Chinanonwait, director of the Office of Alcohol Control Committee under the Ministry of Public Health, said the committee has yet to receive a response from the Interior Ministry regarding the definition of “place of business” particularly regarding ordinary shops.

He said the committee's previous resolution allowed alcohol sales on five major Buddhist holy days, including Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, as well as at the beginning and end of Buddhist Lent.