Streetwise: Proper policing better than alcohol ban.

Byline: The Nation.

With so many entertainment venues crying foul over the proposed blanket ban on alcohol sales during next month's Songkran festival, allow me to share my own experience with you.

The Nation Multimedia Group once hosted a New Year party for all employees. Sadly for drinkers, an election was slated for the following day. This meant that alcohol sales stopped at 6pm on the day of the party. This made a big impact on those suffering from poor planning. But then the party-goers were gleeful to discover that foreigners were exempt from the order. Since the foreign staff did not look Thai and spoke with strong accents, they had no problem buying …