Articles of Thai Alcoholic

Alcohol consumption in 2009 reaches critical point
BANGKOK, 24 June 2009 (NNT) – A report has indicated that alcohol consumption
in 2009 has increased by 40 million liters from last year while the Ministry of
Public Health is planning to discuss the issue in an upcoming meeting for road
safety chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban.
Deputy Public Health Minister, Manit Nop-amornbodi, declared yesterday that the
overall sale of alcohol during March 2009 was 219 million liters, increasing from
the same period of 2008 which sold 197 million liters. Mr. Manit stated that the
information will be brought up for discussion at the meeting for road safety
chaired by Mr. Suthep on 25 June at the Government House. He elaborated that
the session will mainly focus on the evaluation of road accidents during the past
Songkran holiday and the preparation of safety measures ahead of next year’s
celebration.
With the soaring alcohol sales, especially during March and April, Mr. Manit
stated that he will confer with attendants at the meeting to figure out an
effective solution to reduce drinking among Thai citizens.
Reporter : Pamolpol Chandanabodhi

News Date : 24 June 2009
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255206240055
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Alcohol consumption and control in Thailand

J Bung-on Ritthiphakdee
Thai Health Promotion Foundation
In Thailand, alcohol has been used for rituals for centuries. However, it has now become a major
public health problem. It is a significant impediment to the economic development and social well
being of the people.
According to the United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), Thailand ranks fifth
worldwide in consumption of alcohol, behind South Korea, the Bahamas, Taiwan and Bermuda.
Consumption
Available evidence suggests that the number of alcohol drinkers is increasing. The latest survey in
2001 found that the number of drinkers increased from 13.7 million in 1996 to 15.3 million in 2001
or increased 2.3 per cent per year.
Among these 15.3 million drinkers, 13.0 million are males (55.9 per cent of the same age group)
and 2.3 million are females (9.8 per cent). The highest prevalence is among people at 25-39 years
of age (39.3 per cent), and young people at 15-24 (21.6 per cent).
However, Lakhana Termsirikulchai and Poranee Wattanasomboon (1998) conducted a study on
behaviours and factors related to alcohol consumption among 1,141 students aged 15-24 in
Bangkok from September to October 1998. The study revealed that of 624 male students, 334
(53.5 per cent) drank alcoholic beverages and of 517 female students, 130 (25.1 per cent) did so.
Marketing
During the past decade, Thais have tended to consume more alcohol. It was found that the rates
of liquor consumption increased from 20.2 litres/person in 1988 to 35.6 litres/person in 1997 and
beer consumption rose from 6.5 litres/person to 41.5 litres/person during the same period. After
the economic crisis, in 1998 the consumption rates dropped to 28 litres/person for liquor and 35.3
litres/person for beer.
However it started increasing again, particularly beer, due to the market liberalization and
aggressive marketing and advertising by the alcohol companies in 1999-2000.
According to the Department of Industry, there has been an increasing number of beer and wine
factories in the past five years. In 1992, there were only two beer factories and these increased to
six factories in 1994, 12 factories in 1996, and 18 in 1999.
Since late 1995, the "Ready to Drink" or alcoholic fruit juice has been imported into Thailand and
increasingly played a greater role in the alcohol market in Thailand, targeting young people,
particularly women. There are currently fifty brands available.
Beside product development, alcohol companies use advertising and marketing to increase the
number of consumers. In 2000, alcohol companies spent 2,500 million Baht on advertising.
According to Media Data Resources, 19.09 billion Baht was spent during January to May 2000, with
companies selling alcohol, home appliances, cosmetics, milk, and soap, increasing their outlay by
as much as 60 per cent. A study by Foundation for Consumer found that 78 per cent of the alcohol
advertising spending is on television and the most heavily advertised product is beer.
Besides direct advertising on television and other media, alcohol companies also use ingenious
ways to promote their brands, particularly to young people. These strategies included:
• Sport sponsorship
• Sponsorship of popular TV variety programs
• Philanthropy activities
• Organise beer festival during November-December.
• Sponsor party night
• Cut the price
Measure to reduce alcohol consumption
Although alcohol is a major public health problem in Thailand, a policy to curb this is not clearly
formulated. There is, however, legislation to cut alcohol consumption and reduce harm caused by
alcohol as follows:
• Banning sales to under 18s
• Warning labelling on alcoholic beverage containers and advertising "alcohol decreases
driving ability"
• Restrict alcohol advertising: for beverages containing alcohol more than 15 degrees - this
is banned on radio and television during the period 05.00-22.00
• Blood alcohol concentration limits for drivers (0.05G per cent)
In conclusion, Thailand needs a stronger policy and a strict enforcement mechanism as well as
effective community based programmes to curb the increasing trend of alcohol consumption and
the public health impact caused by alcohol
http://www.ias.org.uk/resources/publications/theglobe/globe200103-
04/gl200103-04_p16.html
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Health Care in Thailand : Life Expectancy and Health Risks
Life Expectancy in Thailand is compared below with the data in other countries in Asia.
There is a strong correlation with overal adjusted GDP and health expenditure. However,
when looking closer, Thailand is actually doing worse than both Vietnam and China.
[data WHO, 2003, published 2005)
Country Life Expectancy (M/F) GDP (US$) Health Expenditure (US$)
Thailand 67/73 7,248 321
South-Korea 73/80 19,523 982
Japan 78/85 26,860 2,133
Vietnam 68/74 2,847 148
Malaysia 70/75 9,253 349
Singapore 78/82 25,588 1,105
China 70/73 4,460 261
There are many reasons for differences in Life Expectancy between countries, and we
certainly are not in a position to clarify all.
Below we compare causes of death in three countries in Asia and one in Europe. (source
WHO, last published date 2002)
Thailand China South-Korea Belgium
Total number of
419,088 9,135,460 275,047 102,947
Deaths(2002)
(30.6%
Communicable 1,090,22 (11.9%
128,441 ) 16,084 (5.8%) 6,991 (6.8%)
Disease 2 )
56,694 (13.5% 46 (0.02%) 79 (0.08%)
(of which AIDS/HIV) 42,603 (0.5%)
)
(10.9% (10.4%
Injuries 45,759 994,168 31,885 (11.6%) 5,740 (5.6%)
) )
(14.3% 1,738,12 (19.0%

Malignant Neoplasms 60,014 76,679 (27.9%) 28,346 (27.5%)
) 6 )
Diabetes 19,110 (4.6%) 125,510 (1.4%) 15,003 (5.4%) 1,773 (1.7%)
Cardiovascular (of 3,001,28 (32.8%

(20.0%
which 83,624 4 ) 75,733 (27.5%) 37,021 (36.0%)
)
Ischemic Heart 28,425 702,925 (7.7%) 15,811 (5.7%) 14,985 (14.6%)
(6.8%)
Disease 24,810 1,652,88 (18.1% 46,151 (16.8%) 9,234 (9.0%)
(5.9%)
Cerebrovascular Dis.) 5 )
Chronic Respiratory 1,432,52 (15.7%
27,526 (6.6%) 17,660 (6.4%) 7,626 (7.4%)
Disease 2 )
Of course, for the moment, we all have to die so the sum of all causes of mortality should be
100%. And when in one country there are more deaths of let's say accidents, it has to be
compensated by less deaths from other causes. Nevertheless some comments are allowed,
also regarding some health risk factors as perceived for Thailand.
First and foremost, life expectancy in Thailand is somewhat lower than in 'less developed'
countries like Vietnam and China, which indicates that some more can be done to improve
health in the country.
As indicated in bolt, Thailand still has a very substantial amount of (young) people dying
from HIV/AIDS. While there is no secrecy about this issue, compared to its significance
relatively little attention is paid in the media about this issue. It seems to be accepted that
about 1% of the population is HIV-positive. Of course this figure (2%?) should be much
higher in the sexually active young groups of the population. Thailand has to be commended
for pursuing an open and active policy about preventing Aids. As an example, condoms are
to be found clearly visible at most convenience stores. On the other hand, taboos still exists
and we do not really remember people buying condoms when being viewed by others.
Certainly, young females may still be very hesitant. In any case, the numbers above are
worth remembering when engaging in casual sexual encounters in the country.
As an added note (while this is not allowed in certain countries) HIV-testing is routinely
performed in hospitals when you are going in for some minor procedures or surgery.
http://www.thaiwebsites.com/healthcare(2).asp
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Alcohol consumption in 2009 reaches critical point

Reporter : Pamolpol Chandanabodhi

Alcohol consumption and control in Thailand

Health Care in Thailand : Life Expectancy and Health Risks

Country Life Expectancy (M/F) GDP (US$) Health Expenditure (US$)

Thailand 67/73 7,248 321

South-Korea 73/80 19,523 982

Japan 78/85 26,860 2,133

Vietnam 68/74 2,847 148

Malaysia 70/75 9,253 349

Singapore 78/82 25,588 1,105

China 70/73 4,460 261

Thailand China South-Korea Belgium

(14.3% 1,738,12 (19.0%

Diabetes 19,110 (4.6%) 125,510 (1.4%) 15,003 (5.4%) 1,773 (1.7%)

Cardiovascular (of 3,001,28 (32.8%

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