The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT) has urged the faithful and the wider public to embrace healthier and safer lifestyles by joining the nationwide campaign to “Reduce, Abstain and Quit” alcohol consumption on the occasion of National Alcohol-Free Day, observed this year on July 30.
In a message signed by CBCT President Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana and released ahead of the annual observance, the bishops expressed deep concern over the growing impact of alcohol abuse on Thai society, particularly among children and youth.
Citing data from Thailand’s Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health, the bishops noted that during the 2026 New Year holiday period, 12.58 percent of drivers under the age of 20 were found driving under the influence of alcohol.
The figure marked an increase of 5.61 percent from the previous year. Overall, the rate of drunk driving across all age groups stood at 23.56 percent.
“These statistics reflect a very worrying situation for the nation’s future,” the CBCT statement noted, highlighting the urgent need for structural and communal intervention to protect the next generation.
Global public health bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), classify alcohol not as an ordinary commercial commodity but as an addictive and hazardous substance requiring strict regulatory oversight.
It is a known catalyst for more than 200 distinct medical conditions and remains a primary driver of vehicular fatalities, domestic instability, and community violence.
“Behind the tens of thousands of lives lost is the grief of families who lose loved ones in road accidents, violence, physical abuse, or chronic illnesses, all of which are partly caused by alcohol,” the bishops said.
The Church leaders stressed that many countries no longer regard alcohol as an ordinary commercial product but rather as a substance requiring legal control and responsible regulation.
Drawing on Christian teaching, the bishops encouraged Catholics and all people of goodwill to practice sobriety and self-discipline.
Quoting the Bible, they reminded the faithful: “Do not get drunk, for alcohol leads to debauchery; but let the Spirit guide your life” (Ephesians 5:18), and “Be careful not to let your hearts be consumed by pleasure, drunkenness, and the anxieties of this life” (Luke 21:34).
“Full sobriety is therefore essential for a Christian life and for good citizenship,” the statement added.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand called on all sectors of society to work together in building what it described as “a safe and sober society” while strengthening protection for children and young people from alcohol abuse.
Medical professionals have also highlighted the significant health benefits of reducing alcohol intake.
A Catholic doctor at St. Louis Hospital in Bangkok said temporary abstinence from alcohol can trigger “immediate and profound healing processes” throughout the body and mind.
“If you are looking to explore a life liberated from alcohol, these observances can become an opportunity to reset, build healthier habits, and discover non-alcoholic alternatives,” the doctor said.
According to the physician, clinically observed benefits can begin within days of stopping alcohol consumption and continue to increase the longer abstinence is maintained.
Patients suffering from fatty liver disease, for example, often experience rapid improvements as the liver begins shedding accumulated fat and reducing inflammation.
The bishops said the campaign seeks to encourage greater awareness of alcohol-related harms and promote healthier choices among individuals, families, and communities.
