Abstract
Objective: The Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Drinking Behavior survey (CSAD) has been conducted
by the National Statistical Office every 3-4 years. In 2007, this survey added crucial questions for
alcohol policy, including quantity of drinking, binge drinking and untaxed alcohol consumption. In addition,
it has a large sample size which can represent the population at provincial level. The objective of this
study is to report alcohol consumption behaviors of the Thai population.
Methods: The 2007 CSAD was a stratified two-stage sampling. Data were collected from 79,560
households by structured questionnaire, face-to-face interview during July to September 2007. This study
analyzed data of sample aged 15 years or older [N=168,285]. The data were estimated to represent the
population using sampling weights.
Results: Prevalence of 12-month drinkers, 30-day drinkers, regular (weekly) drinkers, high-risk drinkers,
binge drinkers, and drink-driving was 30.0%, 21.1%, 16.4%, 2.8%, 4.9% and 10.1% respectively. 12.9%
of underage people (<20 years) reported consuming alcohol in the last 12 months. Alcohol drinkers were
highly prevalent in a group of people who were male, aged 20-49 years, married, low educated, middleincome
level, agriculture and labor, and living in rural area and the North and Northeast. Among all
provinces, prevalence of alcohol drinkers was highest in North provinces. The most consumed alcoholic
beverage was beer, followed by white spirits and colored spirits. Prevalence of untaxed alcohol drinkers
was 2.4% (2.3% for domestic products drinkers and 0.2% for imported products drinkers). Estimated
untaxed consumption was 4.7% of total alcohol consumption.
Discussion: The findings of this study illustrate situation of alcohol consumption of the Thai population
and critical information to be used for evaluation and monitoring in populations and provinces
with high prevalence of alcohol use.
