Udomsak Saengow

Abstract Thailand’s temporary abstinence campaign aims to persuade drinkers to abstain from alcohol for three months during Buddhist Lent. In recent years, a decline in the popularity of the campaign has been observed. This study aims to determine factors associated with success in complete abstinence during the campaign period and to determine whether the associations change over time to provide insight into the decline in complete abstinence.

Discussion This study evaluated the effect of a temporary abstinence campaign on per capita consumption of alcohol in Thailand using a time series of alcohol sales data. The main finding was that the Buddhist Lent abstinence campaign accounted for a 9.97% reduction in alcohol consumption at the population level compared with the same period before the campaign.

Corresponding Author Udomsak Saengow Center of Excellence in Data Science for Health Study, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand Correspondence Udomsak Saengow, Center of Excellence in Data Science for Health Study, Walailak University, Thai Buri, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.