LEGAL PROBLEMS FOR PREVENTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM DRINKING ALCOHOL

Abstract

                The objectives of this research article were to study legal problems in preventing child and youth from drinking alcoholic beverages by considering the following problems: 1) alcohol drinking of child and youth. 2) parents neglected and let child and youth drink alcoholic beverages, 3) determining the minimum age for those who could drink alcohol. This study was qualitative research analyzing related legal documents. The study results revealed that 1) the Alcohol Control Act B.E. 2551 did not establish measures to control child and youth from drinking alcohol, while the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 prohibited the sale, exchange, or giving of alcohol or cigarettes to children. 2) The Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 had no penalties for parents who neglected children and youth to drink alcohol. And 3) the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 did not specify the minimum age for those who drink alcoholic beverages. But in the United States requires a 21-year-old adult to consume alcohol. Therefore, it should amend Alcohol Control Act B.E. 2551, Section 29 by prohibiting a person shall do any of the following acts: (1) buying, selling, giving, distributing, dispensing alcoholic beverages to persons under twenty years of age. Child Protection Act, B.E. 2546, Section 26 (11), parents must not willingly or neglect to allow a person under the age of 20 to consume or buy or sell alcoholic beverages. Any person violating this shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding fifty thousand baht or both. For Alcohol Control Act, B.E. 2551, Section 29 should add no person shall do any of the following acts: (2) A person under twenty years of age consumes alcoholic beverages.