ANTI-BOOZE NETWORK OPPOSES ATTEMPTS TO OUST ACCO CHIEF

>> The Alcohol Watch Network is threatening to lead a move against what it believes to be an attempt by a major alcoholic beverage company to have Dr Samarn Futrakul, director of the Alcohol Control Committee Office (Acco), removed from his post.

“The purported reason for the transfer order is that Dr Samarn has not facilitated trade and obstructed economic growth,” said Chuwit Chantaros, secretary of the Alcohol Watch Network. “The transfer order is imminent and we as a network of civil groups will oppose this to the end.”

Mr Chuwit said the group will initiate its threatened move very soon to protect the civil servant from what is views as unfair treatment.

The network is also seeking talks with both the director-general of the Disease Control Department and the public health minister over the rumoured attempt to transfer Dr Samarn from the Acco, he said.

“The network has to fight to protect Dr Samarn because he has worked hard to curb social problems and casualties associated with alcohol consumption,” Mr Chuwit said.

With several important alcohol control cases pending legal proceedings, any sudden change in the Acco’s leadership would affect court battles, Mr Chuwit said.

Dr Suthep Petchmark, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, insisted there was no influence by the alcohol beverage business in the department’s consideration of a reshuffle.

The reshuffle is being considered by a committee that normally bases its decision on the shared workload of personnel, not on any individual, he said.