The Thai cabinet has approved the proposal of the Office of the Alcohol Beverage to make Buddhist Lent a no alcohol period.

According to Government Spokesperson Teerat Ratanasevi, the cabinet has given a green light to the move to promote the auspicious occasion of Buddhist Lent as alcohol-free days.

Alcohol is a threat to the society as it leads to violence and crimes in the society in addition to a risk of up to 60 different of diseases, added the spokesperson.

He said the statistics show that 23.6 percent of all crimes have been linked to alcohol use. Promoting a no-drinking campaign during the Buddhist Lent will help reduce alcohol-related crimes and violence in the society.

The campaign is also launched in honour of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, who is celebrating his 100th birthday anniversary this year.

In Thailand , retail sales of alcoholic drinks will be permitted only in hotels, as stipulated by the laws governing the sales of alcoholic beverages.-VNA/NNT