Chiang Mai to ban alcohol at next year's Songkran festivities.

(From The Nation (Thailand))

Byline: The Nation.

Brewers will be banned from next year's Songkran parade in Chiang Mai, the city's cultural councillor said yesterday.

Chiang Mai's campaign against alcohol sales within the city walls during the holiday was a success, with a 70-per-cent drop in sales, said Wallop Namwongphrom.

However, some people brought their own alcohol and that led to drunkenness, fights breaking out and women being molested, he said.

Many people did not want alcohol manufacturers in the festival parade because they were advertising, Wallop said. So it has been decided they will be excluded next year, he said. …