BANGKOK, Dec 25 (TNA) – An alcohol-free New Year campaign has
been launched in Bangkok to discourage drinking and giving alcohol as New Year
gift.
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation and other civic groups on
Wednesday organized the campaign under the motto “Giving safe gift-Alcohol Free
party” to raise public awareness.
Victims of drink-and-drive accidents joined the rally at
Victory Monument. Student groups
performed music shows and took part in seminars on the dangers of drinking.
Thai Health officers said its campaign had positive results
in reducing alcohol consumption. A
survey shows 8.8 percent of respondents say they received alcohol as gifts; the
number decreased 2.5 percent from last year.
This year drink-and-drive remained the cause of most road
accidents, 43.66 percent, and killing 463 people, the Foundation says.
Young people convicted of drink-and-drive have also
participated in the public campaign, sharing their experiences as drinkers and
smokers. They have shared information on
anti-alcohol measures which were aimed at encouraging people to stop drinking.
There are estimated 22.5 million drinkers in Thailand,
according to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. (TNA)
