Plans to ban the sale of alcohol during Thailand's Songkran festival have been rejected. The National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control announced on Monday that the proposed ban from April 13th to the 15th, would only harm tourism and should not take place.

Instead, the Committee decided an intensive campaign against drink-driving would be more effective and less harmful to the economy. Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, who chaired the committee, said a ban on alcohol sales during Songkran would further harm the tourism industry.

The resolution was reached after the two-hour meeting attended by the Tourism and Sports Minister, Chumpol Silpa-archa; Justice Minister, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga; Social Development and Human Security Minister, Issara Somchai; Deputy Interior Minister, Boonjong Wongtrairat; Deputy Public Health Minister, Manit Nopamornbode; and Deputy Education Minister, Narisara Chawaltanpipat.

Maj Gen Sanan said the meeting agreed to issue a Prime Minister's Office regulation officially prohibiting the sale of alcohol on important Buddhist holidays. He said this was a gift to the Thai people. These religious days include Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asalaha Bucha and Khao Pansa, or Buddhist Lent.

He said that the sale of alcohol during Songkran will follow the existing laws which limit sales from 11am to 2pm and 5pm till midnight. Agencies will also launch anti-drink driving campaigns focusing on staying sober while celebrating Songkran on the back of pick-up trucks:

The meeting decided the ban would have more of an impact on tourism, particularly on Songkran day, which draws over 80,000 foreign tourists...

"An alcohol ban, if imposed, would drive away foreign tourists."

Maj Gen Sanan also said a ban would only increase the sales of illegal liquor, rejecting claims the government was under the thumb of breweries and distillers.

He explained the committee was more concerned about the impact on tourism and problems regarding the sale of illegal liquor.

The panel's resolution may spark protests from the opposition. Kamron Choodecha, coordinator of the Alcohol Watch Network, was somewhat disappointed with Sanan panel for rejecting the ban. He said the panel was being insensitive as it could easily impose measures to reduce deaths and injuries.

But the Deputy Public Health Minister, Manit said his ministry - which originally proposed the alcohol ban - would not be discouraged by the committee's resolution.

Its efforts to campaign against alcohol would not go to waste, he said. His ministry are now pushing for the issue of a PM's Office regulation to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in public areas during the festival.