Alcohol sales prohibited on Makha Bucha Day

By The Phuket News

 

Devout Buddhists taking part in the Makha Bucha candle procession. Photo: John Shedrick

 

PHUKET:-- All government offices will be closed this coming Tuesday (Feb 19) as Thais all across the country celebrate Makha Bucha day. The sale of alcohol is banned by law on this day.

 

Makha Bucha is a Buddhist holiday which takes place annually on the night of the full moon during the third lunar month of the year.

 

The event marks the anniversary of the Buddha’s first major sermon. On the full moon of the third lunar month, seven months after the Lord Buddha began his teachings when 1,250 monks came together, with no prior arrangement to hear Buddha preach, Buddha ordained these monks and passed to them the basic principles of Buddhism: to eschew all evil, to do only what is good, and to cleanse the mind, along with other teachings which marked a key event in the development of the religion.

 

Full Story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/alcohol-sales-prohibited-on-makha-bucha-day-70387.php#eflF0SCvOQ7VWJBv.97

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2019-02-14

I won’t be refraining from drinking this holiday, but I shall refrain from any form of corruption. And not just for this holiday, for every day of the year. 

 

Aren’t I a good atheist....

Anyone who wants or needs a drink at home will have purchased their booze before the holy day.

Just another day with the Lao Khao in 150M bottles more pathetic news.

Mom and pop shops are always exempt. No worries and everyone knows it. 

For some, days like these are the highlight of the year. They allow them to mount their high horse and feel better than everyone else.

So get ready for the "if ya can't go without for a day" brigade

 

And before you allow your pomposity to run wild, I rarely drink (But go for it when I do)

10 hours ago, dcnx said:

Mom and pop shops are always exempt. No worries and everyone knows it. 

Just another directive from the Ministry of Silly Directives who also put out closing schools in Chiang Mai because of the smoke. ????

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the basic principles of Buddhism: to eschew all evil, to do only what is good,

Many followers haven't grasped this.

13 hours ago, rkidlad said:

I won’t be refraining from drinking this holiday, but I shall refrain from any form of corruption. And not just for this holiday, for every day of the year. 

 

Aren’t I a good atheist....

I see your point. These celebrations of the faithful unfortunately are ignored by those who pick and choose which tenants they adhere to.

12 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Just another day with the Lao Khao in 150M bottles more pathetic news.

Aha!... so THAT'S how you do it. Thanks!

be some good photo opportunities. I like to see religious holidays all over the world. I think Ill go to Sicily for Easter

Here in Pattaya it gives one an opportunity to see exactly which bars are owned by people in tight brown shirts ????

Hotels always sell beer. Sure it is more expensive but it depends how badly you need one or how bored you are.

As has been said this is a non-thread as it happens every year and there are ways around the ban on purchasing. As have been stated in preceding posts.

If you have and are well known at your "local" and they have an electronic register just but your beers on Monday and consume on Tuesday. I have done this before for a group of 20 or so...

Blanket ban on beer because of a Buddhist holiday in a country that is supposedly open to all. The hypocrisy. The real reason for these bans is because they don't want the locals to gather round, have a few bevies and then start talking about the problems in the country. That's my view.

Edited February 15, 20197 yr by ZeVonderBearz

Another instance of religion imposing itself on non believers. Religious people can believe what they want, just stop making me follow it.

13 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Anyone who wants or needs a drink at home will have purchased their booze before the holy day.

Bloody good idea....good to see there are intelligent users on this forum.????   

RIP Anthony Bourdain but I loved his saying 

“ your body is not a temple. it is an amusement ride so enjoy the journey.” We are here for a short time and then poof -gone and eventually forgotten. Enjoy your life and let others do the same. ????

36 minutes ago, ZeVonderBearz said:

Blanket ban on beer because of a Buddhist holiday in a country that is supposedly open to all. The hypocrisy. The real reason for these bans is because they don't want the locals to gather round, have a few bevies and then start talking about the problems in the country. That's my view.

This is not limited to LOS.  Happens in Banana Republics as well.

The law states that thai citizens can't drink on this day Does that mean the Buddha Monks cant either or will they simply light up a joint

40 minutes ago, Jiggo said:

Bloody good idea....good to see there are intelligent users on this forum.   

Looks like you're in good company then eh Jiggo? 

Edited February 15, 20197 yr by ratcatcher

Now children. No treats for you on Makha Bucha day, so there.????

Immigration in Jomtien will be closed tuesday the 18th, but will they also close monday the 17th ?

33 minutes ago, Spellforce said:

Immigration in Jomtien will be closed tuesday the 18th, but will they also close monday the 17th ?

Double fault.

Tuesday is the 19th, Makha Bucha holiday.

And NO: Monday 18th is not an extra holiday.

Open on Monday 18th.

 

Well that day is my birthday so I will simply pre buy, although up here no one could give a shit what day it is, they need to sell stuff to eat.

With all the visa money turmoil never has drinks been more needed than on this Makha Bucha day. 

Edited February 15, 20197 yr by inThailand

Groundhog Day- the usual wailing and rending of clothes.

An off topic baiting post and an off topic reply has been removed. 

I've never understood why it's necessary to impose the no alcohol ban on a religious day. To my way of thinking, if you adhere to a particular religion then surely your own depth of faith will let you decide whether or not to observe the day by abstaining? Any religion that finds it necessary to issue legal edicts in an effort to enforce their will on others rather than rely on the faith of their followers is a weak one in my opinion.

 

I know several Thai people who like to drink but happily go through the three month Budhist version of Lent without touching a drop. They don't need to be ordered to, they do it by choice. 

Edited February 15, 20197 yr by nahkit

It is not an alcohol ban. You simply can't buy it. Nobody said you can't drink it.

Another Lunch time sitting outside our Watering Hole with  Coffee Mugs filled with Beer.