Cambodia: Government bans sale, consumption of alcohol during National Election

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism has issued a statement instructing entertainment establishments such as karaoke clubs and bars to suspend their business for two days during the National Election, the Khmer Times reported on May 19.

These establishments were told to shut down on July 22, the day before the election, and July 23, the election day.

The statement from Ministry of Tourism on Tuesday said: “Owners or managers of karaoke businesses, entertainment clubs, bars, discos, and beer gardens in the capital and provinces must suspend business activities on July 22 and 23.”

“All tourism service owners or managers can provide catering services but must suspend alcohol sales,” the statement added.

Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said that to prevent problems that alcohol consumption can cause, it will be temporarily banned during the National Election.

He asked the directors of capital and provincial Departments of Tourism to instruct owners and managers of tourism businesses to follow the instruction.

“Owners and managers of the tourism businesses must abide by this directive,” he said.

Funcinpec spokesman Nhoeun Raden expressed support for the government’s temporary two-day ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol during the election.

“If alcohol is consumed then that can cause violence,” Raden said. “Please do not drink alcohol on election day, instead go to the polls.”

Pich Sros, president of the Cambodian Youth Party, said the directive was to prevent any verbal and physical abuse during the election.

He said that consumption of alcohol can cause people to commit crime, so this is the right decision to ensure a smooth election.

“All the instructions are legally binding and if anybody fails to follow the instruction, they are breaking the law, which can lead to penalties such as imprisonment as well as fines,” Sros said.

In early May, the government instructed national and provincial leaders to inform all local citizens and foreigners to suspend the sale and consumption of alcohol in order to provide an environment that will facilitate the national election.

The government noted that “certain types of alcohol consumption can lead to violence, traffic accidents, social problems, crime, and, in some cases, disruption of public order and safety.”

Mon Seila Many, manager of the Mit Chas pub, said she would follow the government’s instruction to ensure a peaceful election and prevent alcohol-related problems.

“The government made the right decision. When it issues instructions, we always follow those and we never hesitate to follow,” Seila Many said.

19 May, 2023