Bangkok: Mad rush to buy booze as shelves stripped ahead of ten day ban

[webfact]

Bangkok: Mad rush to buy booze as shelves stripped ahead of ten day ban

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported that there was a mad rush to buy alcohol in the capital's malls and shops last night. 

 

Staff couldn't replace stock quickly enough as customers in masks stripped the shelves of spirits and beer. 

 

Picture: Sanook

 

At one supermarket in a mall in Bangkapi 40 degree Lao Khao (the popular Thai 'white spirit') was all sold out in 30 minutes. 

 

Beer had to be rationed at one point to avoid a stampede for supplies. 

 

Picture: Sanook

 

The frenzy came after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced there would be a 24 hour alcohol ban from April 10th to 20th. 

 

With 21 more coronavirus cases in the capital announced yesterday it was felt that banning alcohol was the best way to stop drinks parties that could spread the virus. 

 

Source: Sanook

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-04-10

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[BobbyL]

Perfect idea to congregate loads of people together. Some of the photos online of the queues were ridiculous. 

[Denim]

Totally predictable.

 

Net result , more drunken people and spontaneous parties than if there had been no ban.

 

This government should ban itself then and only then can things slowly get better.

[darksidedog]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

 

With 21 more coronavirus cases in the capital announced yesterday it was felt that banning alcohol was the best way to stop drinks parties that could spread the virus. 

And announcing it in advance resulted in everyone rushing out and getting in two weeks supply, and milling together.

[Pravda]

Oh great, expect more nonsense posts under drunken stupor

[ezzra]

Prohibition Thai style, i'm going to the attic to retrieve my moonshine making equipments... all i need are cornmeal and one hillbilly redneck...

Edited April 10, 2020 by ezzra

[Thailand]

I am sure it will go a long way to reduce the Covid-19 infections.

 

There must be a medical reason to mitigate the closures?

[neverere]

I think the reason has something to do with the upcoming Songkraan celebrations, which would no doubt be celebrated in the usual fashion by many if there was no ban on alcohol sales.

 

[FarFlungFalang]

Reminiscent if the six O'clock swill in OZ! 

[GeorgeCross]

just so everyone doesn't panic here's a fitting quote to dwell on in our hour of need:

 

Quote

Why are these announcements always in two week intervals? I suspect it is because this is the maximum amount of days before the average person begins to register the passage of time in their minds in a new situation. After two to three weeks of going without certain comforts and habits, people tend to adapt and find different ways of doing things. And, after two to three weeks of crisis, they might wake up and recognize the situation is not going to get better.

 

oops. i'm sure they'll start selling again.. honest

 

[Swede65]

Well I really don't see any problem... Grown up people having tons of alcohol at home... Responsible adults... No problem at all...

[lujanit]

3 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

oops. i'm sure they'll start selling again.. honest

 

Mom n Pop stores are still selling today in Nonthaburi even though alcohol sales are banned.

[klauskunkel]

alcohol..., I just don't get it.

Now, if they prohibited potato chips that would be a whole different ball game!

Edited April 10, 2020 by klauskunkel

[Andrew65]

3 hours ago, neverere said:

I think the reason has something to do with the upcoming Songkraan celebrations, which would no doubt be celebrated in the usual fashion by many if there was no ban on alcohol sales.

 

If there's one silver-lining to CV19 it's that Songkhran is cancelled!????

 

[phutoie2]

3 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Totally unfathomable. It´s amazing how many adult adolescent power drinkers and hoarding mental infants there is in this world. How can people see alcohol as an important part of getting through a virus outbreak? That´s extremely low, instead of with a clear mind face the difficulties and look reality in the eye. I see this behaviour as the cowards way out, but that´s only my opinion.

I bet you are always in the kitchen at parties. 

[Destiny1990]

Gosh so many will have to experience the lock down cold turkey !

[Traubert]

4 hours ago, Pravda said:

Oh great, expect more nonsense posts under drunken stupor

Yes.

[EricTh]

I thought Buddhists aren't supposed to drink alcohol in the first place.

[marquis22]

3 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

Reminiscent if the six O'clock swill in OZ! 

Yep, still remember it even though I was 17 during the last days of it .... ????????????????????????

But they were not pots, mainly 7 oz glasses in those days. (In Victoria that is)

[transam]

3 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Totally unfathomable. It´s amazing how many adult adolescent power drinkers and hoarding mental infants there is in this world. How can people see alcohol as an important part of getting through a virus outbreak? That´s extremely low, instead of with a clear mind face the difficulties and look reality in the eye. I see this behaviour as the cowards way out, but that´s only my opinion.

What do you think about  Jesus, is he a coward, he had/has many followers, and he likes a glass or two....?

[poohy]

35 minutes ago, lujanit said:

Mom n Pop stores are still selling today in Nonthaburi even though alcohol sales are banned.

Announced or rather unannounced at 10am here in Prachuap my local mom and pop shop in nearest village empty of all beer n spirits by 10.45 

[cyril sneer]

The problem will be when this saga ends, all these restrictions they put in place will result in fewer transport deaths, better environment  etc. so they’ll use this as an excuse to keep them in place 

[DoctorG]

I see the TVF members have done a great job of cleaning out the stores. ????

[hobz]

5 hours ago, Denim said:

Totally predictable.

 

Net result , more drunken people and spontaneous parties than if there had been no ban.

 

This government should ban itself then and only then can things slowly get better.

Not to mention the increased spread of virus as everyone was queuing for alcohol the last day.. 

[muffy]

Ban alcohol for a year 

[Mung]

absolute waste of time. Those who want to drink during lockdown will, as they have stocked up now. And why shouldn't grow adults be allowed to drink in a time of crisis to receive stress? 

[BobBKK]

I think the ten day ban was relying on Thais not thinking ahead and stocking up. WHOOPS!

[natway09]

Not against the alcohol ban as such but to avoid more crowding & transfer of the virus 3 days notice should have been given.

Now we have so much alcohol stored which for 90% of people is fine.

Unfortunate that the other 10% will not stop until it is gone or they pass out.

More problems for our overworked medical staff.

The anti alcohol lobby in Thailand must be rubbing their hands with glee but this ban may actually make things worse, in particular robberies

[Krataiboy]

And there was me thinking alcohol killed germs. . . 

[BKKBike09]

4 hours ago, Matzzon said:

Totally unfathomable. It´s amazing how many adult adolescent power drinkers and hoarding mental infants there is in this world. How can people see alcohol as an important part of getting through a virus outbreak? That´s extremely low, instead of with a clear mind face the difficulties and look reality in the eye. I see this behaviour as the cowards way out, but that´s only my opinion.

Jees, this sort of nanny-like moralising is enough to drive anyone to drink.

 

I actually agree with a ban on sales over the (banned) Songkran period because there are a large number of working class Thai men / Thai teens who'll get together and booze.

 

But it should be a national ban, and it should have been announced a week in advance to stave off exactly what happened yesterday: a last-minute rush to stock up. It's ridiculous to ban in Bangkok but not in Pathum Thani, Samut Prakarn and Nonthaburi, particular given that metropolitan Bangkok seamlessly incorporates large areas of those provinces. Or ban in Lamphun but not in neighbouring Lampang or Chiang Mai.