Must Read Phuket Opinion: Punishing tourists for wanting a drink

[Jonathan Fairfield]

‘Whoa… Get drunk! Once drink liquor, everyone at risk to be infected’ – one of the anti-COVID alcohol messages posted online earlier this week. Image: Thai Health Promotion Foundation

 

PHUKET: Phuket officials this week shared online a series of images with messages trying to explain why the ban on venues serving alcohol and having alcohol consumed n the premises are in effect to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 

However, the series of posts online amounted to a confession that the actual problem is the behaviour associated with high states of drunkenness, not the actual consumption of alcohol itself. Apparently health officials do not know the difference.

 

The posts were shared on the ‘Phuket Info Center’ Facebook page, which is branded as the “Phuket Sandbox Official Phuket Information Center”, on Tuesday (Aug 17). The images and messages were originally posted by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, known by its Thai initials SorSorSor, operated under the Ministry of Public Health.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-opinion-punishing-tourists-for-wanting-a-drink-81139.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-08-22

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

 

[cclub75]

"Apparently health officials do not know the difference. "

 

Understatement of the decade...

 

This obsession about alcohol is deeply... disturbing. ????

 

And eventhough this crusade started 20 years ago or so (with Thaksin, remember ?)... did the situation really improve ?

 

Alcohol kills and will always kill more than... Covid. Oops. Sorry. My bad. It's forbidden to tell the obvious in our current world.

 

Anyway. More rules for "tourists". They will enjoy, for sure.

[Mavideol]

PARANOIA and Delusional disorders   555

[Dogmatix]

Tourists are not being punished for wanting a drink. They are being punished for making an irrational decision to come and spend their money in a third world country with a dictatorial government in the midst of a pandemic.  They should have known better.

[Pedrogaz]

I say ban the sale of alcohol everywhere for the duration of the pandemic. 

[Gottfrid]

18 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

I say ban the sale of alcohol everywhere for the duration of the pandemic. 

What coin do you have? How many years have you been sober?

I will disagree with you there. I never want to have more than 12 steps to the next beer. At least I have managed the 12 step program with flying colors. 

[ukrules]

No alcohol = no tourists.

 

Good luck with that going forward. I hope they all go bankrupt.

[Tropicalevo]

But it is OK to drink alcohol in posh 'clubs' in Thonglor - Yes?

[Guderian]

Well, you can argue the pros and cons of moderate alcohol consumption, but I'm more concerned that places like Pattaya have, in effect, been forced by the muppets in government to ban almost all forms of exercise. There's no argument or debate to be had there, exercise is undoubtedly a very good thing for people to "consume". Yet rather than spend a bit of effort policing the sea and beaches and preventing people from engaging in behaviour that might present a Covid risk, they've simply stopped anyone from using the beaches or sea for exercise, never mind the swimming pools and gyms. I was surprised to find that the Chonburi governor and mayor of Pattaya had no problem with pools remaining open as they said not a single case of Covid had been traced back to swimming. Then along came the Idiot-in-Chief and his herd of buffalo-ministers who immediately decided that this exercise thing is clearly a huge risk to the nation's health and must be stopped immediately, when in fact the opposite is self-evidently true.

[driver52]

52 minutes ago, Guderian said:

herd of buffalo-ministers who immediately decided that this exercise thing is clearly a huge risk to the nation's health and must be stopped immediately

of course it is! just like this thinking for yourself thing, gotta keep the sheeple under control and pumped full of useless drugs and sh!tty processed food ????

Edited August 22, 2021 by driver52

[natway09]

I have never seen any alcohol bans in place other than the "normal".It is just to stop people congregating where they may spread the disease, 

My frigge is always topped up for my evening tipple.

Some people just cannot join up the dots

[Red Forever]

4 hours ago, cclub75 said:

"Apparently health officials do not know the difference. "

 

Understatement of the decade...

 

This obsession about alcohol is deeply... disturbing. ????

 

And eventhough this crusade started 20 years ago or so (with Thaksin, remember ?)... did the situation really improve ?

 

Alcohol kills and will always kill more than... Covid. Oops. Sorry. My bad. It's forbidden to tell the obvious in our current world.

 

Anyway. More rules for "tourists". They will enjoy, for sure.

I'm not sure you thought that one through. 

How can alcohol kill more people in e.g. Muslim countries where alcohol is banned yet covid is on the rampage.

Oh hang on, I geddit. Your post was an oh so clever attempt at Covid denial.

[ChrisKC]

I have an alcoholic drink just about every day without the breaking covid rules. There isn't a ban on alcohol, only under certain conditions that I am perfectly happy to comply with..

 

One can say, "the law is an ass", unfair, or doesn't achieve its stated objective; whether true or not, blame only yourself if caught breaking the rules.

Edited August 22, 2021 by ChrisKC
typo

[hotchilli]

31 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

I have an alcoholic drink just about every day without the breaking covid rules. There isn't a ban on alcohol, only under certain conditions that I am perfectly happy to comply with..

 

One can say, "the law is an ass", unfair, or doesn't achieve its stated objective; whether true or not, blame only yourself if caught breaking the rules.

Got it in one...

I enjoy a cool evening beer every night, and I don't break the law having one.

There are two choices... the right way or the wrong way.

As in life people make their own choice.

[Mansell]

3 hours ago, Guderian said:

Well, you can argue the pros and cons of moderate alcohol consumption, but I'm more concerned that places like Pattaya have, in effect, been forced by the muppets in government to ban almost all forms of exercise. There's no argument or debate to be had there, exercise is undoubtedly a very good thing for people to "consume". Yet rather than spend a bit of effort policing the sea and beaches and preventing people from engaging in behaviour that might present a Covid risk, they've simply stopped anyone from using the beaches or sea for exercise, never mind the swimming pools and gyms. I was surprised to find that the Chonburi governor and mayor of Pattaya had no problem with pools remaining open as they said not a single case of Covid had been traced back to swimming. Then along came the Idiot-in-Chief and his herd of buffalo-ministers who immediately decided that this exercise thing is clearly a huge risk to the nation's health and must be stopped immediately, when in fact the opposite is self-evidently true.

And they closed the outdoor tennis courts. When playing doubles there are only four people, but you can have gatherings of five people. I ride my bicycle along the beach at Jomtien, and they closed off a parks bike paths, but us bikers find a way to keep riding. Out door exercise…..tell me what is wrong with it Thai government?

[Thingamabob]

7 hours ago, cclub75 said:

"Apparently health officials do not know the difference. "

 

Understatement of the decade...

 

This obsession about alcohol is deeply... disturbing. ????

 

And eventhough this crusade started 20 years ago or so (with Thaksin, remember ?)... did the situation really improve ?

 

Alcohol kills and will always kill more than... Covid. Oops. Sorry. My bad. It's forbidden to tell the obvious in our current world.

 

Anyway. More rules for "tourists". They will enjoy, for sure.

I agree, the obsession about alcohol by TVF posters is deeply disturbing.

[Knocker33]

They said the other day they are expecting 500,000 Russians. No chance if they can't drink

[ChC1]

It is not against alcohol. It is against the imported western bar and pub culture. Xenophobic under the skin of anti-alcoholism. The next target will be GYM, tattoo, jeans and sleeveless shirts. You just wait and see. The cultural guard will have their go at some the western cultures in disguise of Covid. Who would miss this perfect opportunity?

[Mickeymaus]

16 minutes ago, ChC1 said:

It is not against alcohol. It is against the imported western bar and pub culture. Xenophobic under the skin of anti-alcoholism. The next target will be GYM, tattoo, jeans and sleeveless shirts. You just wait and see. The cultural guard will have their go at some the western cultures in disguise of Covid. Who would miss this perfect opportunity?

My goodness. The next target should be people thinking like this... 

[Amdesign]

All the restrictions they make are aimed at only one purpose: they want actions of government to be seen and felt by everyone, this is the way to terrify and control the population.

 

Secondly, making all attractive things illegal, the create 'cashbox' for the pinspotters of the regime.

[superal]

Closing bars is a soft target and when you see the masses at markets and even vaccination stations without any social distancing the mind boggles . Controlled bars where the entrance is by way of an official who can view your vaccine cert could work especially if a qr app were used similar to the UK NHS register that is almost impossible to fake . 

  Maybe the government should introduce prohibition  then we can all decide if we want to stay . This was once a fun country but sadly approaching its sell by date .

[RocketDog]

16 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

I agree, the obsession about alcohol by TVF posters is deeply disturbing.

Perhaps others, like me, overplay their alcohol consumption just to tweak the prohibitionists on TVF.

It usually works too. 55555

 

Personally I avoid becoming "deeply disturbed" about other's personal lifestyle  choices. There's many other things more worthy of my anxiety.

But everybody needs a hobby I suppose.

Edited August 23, 2021 by RocketDog

[superal]

22 hours ago, RocketDog said:

Perhaps others, like me, overplay their alcohol consumption just to tweak the prohibitionists on TVF.

It usually works too. 55555

 

Personally I avoid becoming "deeply disturbed" about other's personal lifestyle  choices. There's many other things more worthy of my anxiety.

But everybody needs a hobby I suppose.

For sure we are all differ when it comes to our hobbies / entertainment / enjoyment but I reckon the majority of tourists to Thailand are males who enjoy the bars and company of some beautiful Thai ladies . Maybe Scott should run a survey on what attracts you to Thailand ? 

[RocketDog]

2 minutes ago, superal said:

For sure we are all differ when it comes to our hobbies / entertainment / enjoyment but I reckon the majority of tourists to Thailand are males who enjoy the bars and company of some beautiful Thai ladies . Maybe Scott should run a survey on what attracts you to Thailand ? 

Indeed. Unfortunately some people indulge in judgment and criticism of others as a hobby. I guess it's a way of polishing up their own self-image.

[steven100]

On 8/22/2021 at 12:01 PM, Pedrogaz said:

I say ban the sale of alcohol everywhere for the duration of the pandemic. 

are you crazy

[impulse]

1 hour ago, superal said:

For sure we are all differ when it comes to our hobbies / entertainment / enjoyment but I reckon the majority of tourists to Thailand are males who enjoy the bars and company of some beautiful Thai ladies . Maybe Scott should run a survey on what attracts you to Thailand ? 

True.  And for years now, Thailand has been snapping to the fact that those mongers and the atmosphere that caters to them is what's keeping families from coming to Thailand.  There's a school of thought that says every dollar they lose from the mongers will be offset by more than a dollar from family tourists.  Worked for Vegas many years ago...  But it takes time and commitment.  The numbers' gonna go down before they can go back up again.  

 

[Doctor Tom]

On 8/22/2021 at 11:49 AM, Dogmatix said:

third world country with a dictatorial government in the midst of a pandemic

For a brief moment there, I thought that you were talking about the UK. Australian and New Zealand governments,  who have been far more 'dictatorial' as you put it, than Thailand.  But then again, whenever was there any real balance of knowledgeable  opinion on this forum. 

[david555]

Those who came to the "sandbox "... should of assured yourself  if it was not " quicksand " !.... by applying you accepted the rules ....

[superal]

8 minutes ago, david555 said:

Those who came to the "sandbox "... should of assured yourself  if it was not " quicksand " !.... by applying you accepted the rules ....

Rules ?  The original sandbox scheme did not state the closure of bars or restaurants , nor the cancellation of interprovincial flights . Indeed the whole concept of the sandbox was to retain the norm of entertainment venues in order to attract tourists to Phuket which as an island could be capable of isolation from the covid virus as all workers and tourists would have been vaccinated . I believe the majority of tourists were compliant but as for the workers , I am not so confident .

[david555]

Just now, superal said:

Rules ?  The original sandbox scheme did not state the closure of bars or restaurants , nor the cancellation of interprovincial flights . Indeed the whole concept of the sandbox was to retain the norm of entertainment venues in order to attract tourists to Phuket which as an island could be capable of isolation from the covid virus as all workers and tourists would have been vaccinated . I believe the majority of tourists were compliant but as for the workers , I am not so confident .

I understand your point ....but TIT.

 

But all of who think they can come Thailand and enjoy as before they are deluded , the sandbox system is a desperate moneymaker for Thais , already breaking their own objectives as the covid infection numbers  crossed already their first red line to stop with it

 

Dreaming of past Thailand is the main reason for those to come and be disappointed ...., only i understand those who use it as a bypass to enter to be united with their Thai family's .... not much other choices 

 

Thailand tourist dreamers .... forget it , it go take a long time to become like that again as "covid & mutations " is here to stay on Earth .... be it under moderate vaccination protection , but never same as before