Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o- cha has signed an official announcement banning the sale of alcoholic drinks near institutions of higher learning.

The announcement, which outlaws the sale of alcohol within 300 meters of universities and vocational colleges, is an amendment of the 2008 Alcohol Control Act, the National News Bureau of Thailand said Wednesday.

The ban, approved amid mounting concerns over an increasing number of young drinkers, will take effect 30 days after being published in the Royal Gazette.

The announcement was put forward at a meeting of the National Alcohol Drinks Policy Board earlier this month before being forwarded to the premier for final endorsement.

However, the ban will not apply to hotels and other service operators established legally under royal decree.