THAILAND - Alcoholic beverages are practically in most Bangkok schools' backyards, according to a survey.

Of 50 schools in the survey, 33 are located within 200 metres of shops that serve alcoholic drinks.

"Some schools are just one metre away from where alcohol is sold," Montip Lhintara revealed at a press conference yesterday.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation and antidrinking networks jointly hosted the event.

Montip, a Grade12 student from Suksanari School, is a youth ranger who volunteered to conduct the survey.

According to the findings, as many as 33 schools are located close to many alcoholicbeverage shops, gaming cafes, alcoholadvertising boards, massage parlours, snooker clubs, minimarts that sell alcohol and cigarettes, and karaoke lounges.

All these bad influences are within 200 metres of the schools.

"I describe these schools as being in the red zone," Montip said.

She disclosed that Sainamtip, Sainampeung, Horwang and Islam Santichon schools were among schools in the red zone.

"Sainamtip School, for example, is close to 27 places of bad influence," she added.

Montip is calling on authorities to take such bad influences away from children.

Stop Drink Network director Songkran Pakchokdee said many shops served alcoholic mixed drinks with crushed ice without a proper permit.

"Officials should look into this. Such shops are available in great numbers," he added.

He said the Excise Department must follow a Cabinet resolution to stop renewing alcoholsale licences to shops that are less than 500 metres away from a school.