Koh Samui: Three British pensioners, one other, arrested with Thais for illegal drinking

[webfact]

Picture: Bo Phut police

 

The Bo Phut police site announced the arrest of three British pensioners and one other British national breaking laws regarding the consumption of alcohol and congregating promulgated on May 23rd. Five Thais were also nabbed.

 

The police said they had to enforce the law. They thanked other people who were following the Covid-19 rules. 

 

Yesterday it was announced that Samui was desperate to get foreigners back on the island from July 1st.

 

Arrested at One Hundred Bar was the owner Nathamon, 46, who was charged with illegally serving alcohol in contravention of an April 17th law.

 

Picture: Bo Phut police

 

Taken into Bo Phut station with her were Mr Michael, 72, Mr Raymond, 72, and the youngster of the party Mr Peter, 71.

 

Rounded up at the Sariya Beauty and Salon also for imbibing alcohol and congregating were Sariya herself, aged 48, Sujittra,32, Deuan, 27 and another British man Mr Andrew, aged 33. 

 

Picture: Bo Phut police

 

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[Excel]

No doubt by now this article has already been sent to the BBC and others' news sites. 

[colinneil]

1 minute ago, webfact said:

Yesterday it was announced that Samui was desperate to get foreigners back on the island from July 1st

Well that aint gonna  happen with plod behaving like that.

That said what a terrible despicable bunch drinking together, lock em up, throw away the key, that will teach em.????????????????????

[smedly]

3 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Well that aint gonna  happen with plod behaving like that.

That said what a terrible despicable bunch drinking together, lock em up, throw away the key, that will teach em.????????????????????

would it not be better to allow people to drink outside in the open air (with some rules) than doing it in confined spaces like bars behind closed shutters with no ventilation 

[ikke1959]

And we welcome the tourists from 1st of July... but be aware.. there are rules were you never heard from anywhere in the world, so the police will always have a reason to fine you or lock you up... But we wish a happy holiday for 2 of you in the hotelroom ..... Please book now!!

[Olmate]

25 minutes ago, Excel said:

No doubt by now this article has already been sent to the BBC and others' news sites. 

Any reason why they should be exempt? 

[pattjock]

Ignorance of the law is never a valid defense. But if the law is not published to the public, in languages that the public can understand, there is no valid reason for punishment.

 

In all civilized countries the current rules are published, in a multitude of languages, in various well known media. In Thailand it's in Thai, If you can find the original source of the information.

 

Any important messages in Thailand should at least be published in Thai, Lao, Cambodian, Myanmar, Malaysian and English language. Most European countries publish everything in 15 to 20 languages.

 

 

[Captain Monday]

Can't say they were not warned.

Hope they don't get  in too much trouble, much more of this nonsense Thai authorities are likely to select a few  foreign scofflaws to "take some prisoners".  

[BestB]

Ok. Irrespective of my beliefs , law is the law, so if one breaks it then tough luck . But problem I have is why make arrests and such a fuss. This is not criminal offence . So you caught them breaking the news law, issue them with fines on the spot and end of story .

 

why turn it into a circus ? 
 

when big P was caught not wearing a mask , he was not arrested or detained , but simply issued with a fine , why this any different ?

 

it makes news, it scares people from coming when you get arrested for fineable offences 

[DaLa]

18 minutes ago, smedly said:

would it not be better to allow people to drink outside in the open air (with some rules) than doing it in confined spaces like bars behind closed shutters with no ventilation 

 

You can already smedley, so long as the drink is water, coffee, tea, juice, rat piddle.

 

Most of the opinion formed by the majority of countries indicate that 'external' activities are far safer and Thailand is an ideal place for such gatherings.  It's quite worrying that the powers that be in certain countries can ignore this general observation and secondly create laws overnight restricting certain activities. 

 

It's even more ridiculous that they have chosen one particular aspect of eating out to focus on.  I have a friend whose workaround presently is to only meet up with one of his friends at a time, bringing his own cup and I'm he's not telling me where.

[Henryford]

Crime of the century, 3 old men drinking beer.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, pattjock said:

Ignorance of the law is never a valid defense. But if the law is not published to the public, in languages that the public can understand, there is no valid reason for punishment.

 

In all civilized countries the current rules are published, in a multitude of languages, in various well known media. In Thailand it's in Thai, If you can find the original source of the information.

 

Any important messages in Thailand should at least be published in Thai, Lao, Cambodian, Myanmar, Malaysian and English language. Most European countries publish everything in 15 to 20 languages.

 

The regulations were published in English and have been widely known for some time. 

 

Nationwide laws were recently relaxed slightly to allow restaurants in ‘red zones’ to open up until 9pm but they are still not permitted to sell alcohol. 

 

There is very little doubt that these folk knew they were breaking regulations. 

 

 

The issue is the regulations are stupid, killing businesses and are not intelligently thought out. 

Open air gatherings of a few people at a time are not an issue.

 

The problem here is that discretion has been removed and its been replace with this ridiculous ‘faux-outrage’.

 

I bet every single one of those arresting officers regularly drink with a larger group of friends.

 

 

[farangroby]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Yesterday it was announced that Samui was desperate to get foreigners back on the island from July 1st

With these draconian rules, it would be interesting to know in which July Samui will reopen to tourism

[bluesofa]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The police said they had to enforce the law.

Are we sure this isn't fake news?

 

<For the hard-of-learning: The text above may contain traces of sarcasm>

[Excel]

1 hour ago, Olmate said:

Any reason why they should be exempt? 

What from the news sites ?

[Rampant Rabbit]

Hang em, castrate  them,  or worse POINT at them!

[Thomas J]

List of major crimes

Homicide

Assault

Robbery

Rape

Drug Dealing

Human Trafficking

Arson

Kidnapping

Thai police making life safer for everyone by apprehending and arresting three elderly men for drinking.  I feel so much safer now. 

[Rampant Rabbit]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The police said they had to enforce the law.

Selectively and not after 5pm on the roads.

[Excel]

1 minute ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

Selectively and not after 5pm on the roads.

Well going after unarmed pensioners is just about par for the course for the gutless RTP mafia

[Rampant Rabbit]

1 minute ago, Excel said:

Well going after unarmed pensioners is just about par for the course for the gutless RTP mafia

Personally  if  I was going to go drinking I'd indulge in some "bridge" as  well I mean may as  well  go the whole  hog, after a swim to feed  the fish in the sea.

[thaibeachlovers]

45 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The regulations were published in English and have been widely known for some time. 

 

Nationwide laws were recently relaxed slightly to allow restaurants in ‘red zones’ to open up until 9pm but they are still not permitted to sell alcohol. 

 

There is very little doubt that these folk knew they were breaking regulations. 

 

 

The issue is the regulations are stupid, killing businesses and are not intelligently thought out. 

Open air gatherings of a few people at a time are not an issue.

 

The problem here is that discretion has been removed and its been replace with this ridiculous ‘faux-outrage’.

 

I bet every single one of those arresting officers regularly drink with a larger group of friends.

 

 

I'm sure that most of are familiar with the term " the law is an ass". If they are going to enforce barking rules like this and ignore traffic violations etc etc etc it just makes them hypocrites.

 

 

 

[Thailand]

1 hour ago, Henryford said:

Crime of the century, 3 old men drinking beer.

Lucky they weren't playing bridge also, that could be a life sentence!

 

Well done BIB for  nabbing these aged criminals!

[pattjock]

59 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The regulations were published in English and have been widely known for some time. 

 

Nationwide laws were recently relaxed slightly to allow restaurants in ‘red zones’ to open up until 9pm but they are still not permitted to sell alcohol. 

 

There is very little doubt that these folk knew they were breaking regulations. 

 

 

The issue is the regulations are stupid, killing businesses and are not intelligently thought out. 

Open air gatherings of a few people at a time are not an issue.

 

The problem here is that discretion has been removed and its been replace with this ridiculous ‘faux-outrage’.

 

I bet every single one of those arresting officers regularly drink with a larger group of friends.

 

 

Please let me know where the first hand, updated, information is published in English.

 

This is obviously different in different areas so need all areas to have their information available to everyone in different formats and languages.

[Ventenio]

That first picture is hilarious............says 10,000,000 words

 

the guy in red is saying :

 

"bloke, you told us mates we could have a beer in Thailand!!   This is your fault, and now my missus is calling asking about the guy at the other end of the couch!!!"

 

He continues, "If there is a fine, you are paying it!!!  It was your mate's job to look out for the coppers.....now I'm in the Daily Mail, front page!!"

 

It's funny....

 

The moon has exploded, the Sun turned Blue, aliens have invaded........

 

all those stories scrapped....

 

deported!!!!!!!!  I won't rest until justice!!!!!!

[Somtamnication]

That will bring tourists back in droves..................... to Cambodia!!!!

[khunPer]

No matter what you thinks about various laws – some might seem unnecessary or stupid – you need to follow them, especially when not in your home country; it seems even more weird that a Thai pub owner, from what the article says, takes the risk of loosing her business by serving alcohol during prohibition. 

[tigerfeet]

3 hours ago, Olmate said:

Any reason why they should be exempt? 

Exempt no but common sence should prevail in these uncertain times .a quick reminder and a stern warning and sent home would of suffice plus that would go a long way with police and people bonding.now it's all over the news and social media .not sent out the right vibes for future tourism has it

[Tropicalevo]

2 minutes ago, tigerfeet said:

Exempt no but common sence should prevail in these uncertain times .a quick reminder and a stern warning and sent home would of suffice plus that would go a long way with police and people bonding.now it's all over the news and social media .not sent out the right vibes for future tourism has it

Bear in mind that pubs in the UK have been closed for months and months until recently.

Here in Thailand it is fairly recent.

I think that people will understand.

Lock ins happen in the UK and people were in the press over being caught.

Lock ins happen here and people are in the press over being caught.

Why turn it into a major event?

Schitte happens. Move on.

 

[mikebike]

3 hours ago, pattjock said:

Most European countries publish everything in 15 to 20 languages.

 

And are we in Europe now or a developing SE ASian country? Why on earth would you expect equivalence?

[RichardColeman]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Taken into Bo Phut station with her were Mr Michael, 72, Mr Raymond, 72, and the youngster of the party Mr Peter, 71.

I'd claim innocence through senility at well into 70's