Although selling alcohol to individuals,
under the age of 18, is illegal in Thailand, the
incidence of alcohol use among 11-19 year old
Thais ranges from 18.3% to 21.33%. As in other
countries, there has been an alarming increase in
alcohol consumption among Thai women.5-7 In
addition, adolescents’ behavior, within Western
cultures, has been found to be related to peer
pressure, environmental factors and their perception
about such behavior, with male adolescents exhibiting
more risk behaviors than female adolescents.8 Thus,
in order to develop strategies to decrease Thai
adolescent alcohol use, there appears to be a need for
health care providers and society to better understand
their beliefs regarding alcohol consumption.