Alcohol Sales on Trains and at Hua Lamphong Rejected Again by Alcohol Control Committee
BANGKOK, Thailand – The Alcohol Control Committee has once again rejected the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) request to permit alcohol sales at Hua Lamphong railway station and on certain trains, citing concerns over safety and unclear regulations.
Repeated Rejections Due to Safety Concerns
During a committee meeting on Monday, chaired by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, Panumat Yannawetsakul, Director-General of the Disease Control Department, announced that the SRT was asked to refine its proposal before resubmitting it for further review in the next meeting.
The SRT’s request included:
- Allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol inside the air-conditioned event hall at Hua Lamphong station.
- Permitting alcohol sales on chartered trains.
However, the committee rejected the request due to concerns over vague definitions regarding which trains would allow alcohol sales, leading to fears of misinterpretation and enforcement issues.
History of Alcohol Ban on Trains
The ban on alcohol sales and consumption on trains and at railway stations across Thailand was first enforced in 2014, following the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl by a drunken train worker. This is now the third time the Alcohol Control Committee has denied the SRT’s proposal to reverse the ban.
New Alcohol Regulations Approved
While the SRT’s request was denied, the committee approved several new measures regarding alcohol sales:
- 24-hour alcohol sales will now be allowed at international airports operating around the clock.
- Hotels can sell alcohol 24/7, but only with provincial governor approval.
- Health volunteers will be deployed during the upcoming Songkran holiday to monitor high-risk groups for drink-driving.
Despite the SRT’s persistence, it remains unclear whether a future revised proposal will meet the committee’s requirements.
