Most Thais 'unaware' of alcohol's health risks

A survey by ThaiHealth found most Thais are unaware that the consumption of alcoholic drinks can increase the risk of cancer, highlighting alcohol's central role in driving the country's worsening noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) crisis.

- APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

The findings were presented a forum hosted by the Centre for Alcohol Studies (CAS), the Association of Thai NCD Alliance, and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth).

Dr Pairoj Saonuam, deputy CEO of ThaiHealth, said Thailand's NCDs crisis is showing no signs of abating, driven by obesity, hypertension, diabetes and high-risk behaviours caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Four out of five Thais surveyed saying they have experienced harm caused by others' drinking, he said, before noting that in 2021 alone, alcohol-related economic losses exceeded 165 billion baht.