Tourism minister questions Thailand’s 2pm-5pm alcohol ban

[Mac Mickmanus]

9 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Correct, one of the reasons was to stop schoolkids buying alcohol after school and getting drunk before they got home in the evening.

Schoolkids are not allowed to buy alcohol at any time of the day and also school kids finish school at 3.30 , the 2PM restrictions were nothing to do with restricting schoolkids from buying alcohol 

[pseudorabies]

16 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Correct, one of the reasons was to stop schoolkids buying alcohol after school and getting drunk before they got home in the evening.

And to improve their organizational and planning skills.  Learning how to plan ahead and find alternatives like tramadol + cough syrup is important for their development.  

[clivebaxter]

Our local one lets us buy out of hours

 

23 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Correct, one of the reasons was to stop schoolkids buying alcohol after school and getting drunk before they got home in the evening.

So why the ban at weekends when there is no school. Another law says no selling at any time if the shop is within 300 meters of a school. The only place I have seen that went along with this was Ubon city, almost impossible to find a 7/11 selling booze

[Farangus]

I also never understood this prohibition on the sale of alcohol in the morning and afternoon, especially in the resorts.  When I couldn't buy beer in one store in the morning, I just walked to another 7Eleven located 50 meters away and bought alcohol there without any problem ...

[4MyEgo]

There was a number of reasons that they applied the time bans, but I can't think of any at the moment. Maybe we should ask Sir Les Patterson ?

 

[JonnyF]

The minister is correct. It's a stupid rule. Partly because it is selectively enforced. For example, pubs/restaurants in Sukhumvit can keep selling all afternoon but restaurants in shopping malls often follow the 2-5 ban. 7-11's follow the ban but Mom and Pop shops don't, and it's not like the local cops don't know they're selling. 

 

It's simply an inconvenience for no reason. But then, we are in Thailand. Perhaps we should be grateful for small mercies, after all this rule isn't currently enforced on the basis of race like so many rules in Thailand (but the way things are going maybe that's one for later).

[tomacht8]

46 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Correct, one of the reasons was to stop schoolkids buying alcohol after school and getting drunk before they got home in the evening.

In 2008 the law came with the 300 meter zone around schools. In 2015, the sales times were also restricted from 2pm to 5pm, nationwide, even on weekends, regardless of whether there is a school nearby or not. Even Pipat cannot think of any reasons for this.

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

1 hour ago, tomacht8 said:

The 2pm to 5pm rule.

In school zones is 24 hours no Alk. 

That's funny.  In Udon Thani you have the schools and right across the roads are liquor stores, 7-11 etc.  An example would be the large school near the airport and right across the street is a 7-11 that you can buy alcohol in.  Another case in point is that directly across the main road from Rajahbat University there is a nice set of stores and clubs for drinking.

Edited 59 minutes ago by ThailandRyan

All the stores need to do is check the ID that every Thai carries. Simple. But no. In Thailand they have to make things complicated and inconvenient, so stores close to schools and unis are banned from selling to anyone, even if they are 50 years old. Maybe they think you're a teacher buying for your pupils ???? Cretins.

[Mac Mickmanus]

18 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

t's simply an inconvenience for no reason. But then, we are in Thailand. 

Most Countries in the World have some sort of restrictions on alcohol sales, its not just Thailand 

[bobandyson]

55 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Correct, one of the reasons was to stop schoolkids buying alcohol after school and getting drunk before they got home in the evening.

And there was me worrying about my 7yo son arriving home from school with lipstick on his collar.

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Most Countries in the World have some sort of restrictions on alcohol sales, its not just Thailand 

Yes, most countries have restrictions that actually make sense, such as age restrictions. Most countries enforce these rules consistently, not arbitrarily.

[mtls2005]

I don't think drinking is prohibited during these hours, either at home or in a pub-bar-resto? Just retail sales, right?

[Mac Mickmanus]

Just now, JonnyF said:

Yes, most countries have restrictions that actually make sense, such as age restrictions. Most countries enforce these rules consistently, not arbitrarily.

That is why many of us like living in Thailand , because all the rules are not strictly enforced and we can purchase beer out of licensing times, if we want to  , dont think Thailand deserves criticism for that 

[Blumpie]

Ah the magical mystery hour(s).  I remember those well.  Drink like a fish till 2 then it's time to stop for a while, LOL! 

[JonnyF]

7 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

That is why many of us like living in Thailand , because all the rules are not strictly enforced and we can purchase beer out of licensing times, if we want to  , dont think Thailand deserves criticism for that 

There are lots of good things about living here. But for me, nonsensical laws that are arbitrarily enforced by corrupt officialdom is not one of them. Each to his own though, whatever floats your boat.

[tomacht8]

4 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

That is why many of us like living in Thailand , because all the rules are not strictly enforced and we can purchase beer out of licensing times, if we want to  , dont think Thailand deserves criticism for that 

You're right. As an old Thailand veteran you can get along well. But fresh tourists are surprised when they stand at the cash register and hear: "Can not". Then maybe they read the stickers on the refrigerators and try to understand the meaning of the permitted sales times.

 

Unfortunately, every ban or restriction is also a popular source of income for the BiB and promotes corruption.

[Blumpie]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

There are lots of good things about living here. But for me, nonsensical laws that are arbitrarily enforced by corrupt officialdom is not one of them. Each to his own though, whatever floats your boat.

Actually I kind of liked it too.  I'd go down a few stores and find some corner shop that would sell you a bottle during the banishment hour (s).   It was so asinine, so strange.  Bizarre.  Thailand.  

[Mac Mickmanus]

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

There are lots of good things about living here. But for me, nonsensical laws that are arbitrarily enforced by corrupt officialdom is not one of them. Each to his own though, whatever floats your boat.

Do you think that the rules should be strictly enforced , like they are back home ?

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that ideally that will be 11 am to 11 pm or even midnight.

Wot, no beer with my breakfast?

[Mac Mickmanus]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Wot, no beer with my breakfast?

You can go to the mom & pop shop and get a wine cooler for 28 Baht

[Kildonan]

1 hour ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Correct, one of the reasons was to stop schoolkids buying alcohol after school and getting drunk before they got home in the evening.

Was it not Thaskin that introducd this law,,,, To stop school kids drinking? 

[bojo]

17 minutes ago, Blumpie said:

Actually I kind of liked it too.  I'd go down a few stores and find some corner shop that would sell you a bottle during the banishment hour (s).   

Nothing better than a challenge, a nod and a wink with the locals, and sense of beating the system..........................I hear you................Fun fun fun..........................

[JonnyF]

Just now, Mac Mickmanus said:

Do you think that the rules should be strictly enforced , like they are back home ?

I don't think you've really thought this through. It obviously depends what the rules are. If they are rules against sexual assault, murder, paedophilia etc. then yes I would like them to be enforced strictly. Wouldn't you? Unfortunately in Thailand you can buy your way out of such offences, it's just a matter of who saw you do it, how much it costs and who you offended against. I suppose you think that's part of the fun of living here?

 

In Thailand there are rules for absolutely everything, many of them nonsensical like this 2-5 alcohol ban which everyone breaks all the time because they simply don't make sense. So officials can use these silly laws to arbitrarily go after people they don't like. Shut down competing businesses etc. Extort the poor. Personally I'd rather they removed the stupid laws, and enforced the serious ones rather than getting some cheap thrill out of "getting away with it" or "beating the system" by buying a beer at a Mom and Pop shop at 3pm. But then, I'm not 14 anymore.

 

You see what is problematic about being able to bend the laws is that it depends which side of the law bending you are on. For example, you get caught speeding and pay the cop off 200 Baht you think it's great, a highly amusing story for your chums back home. Some hiso knocks your child over when speeding and pays off the cops? Not so funny now, is it?

[tomazbodner]

Most seem to be saying this time-based ban is pointless. What do you suggest? Total ban?

[JeffersLos]

1 hour ago, tomacht8 said:

2pm - 5pm rule is from 2015

No it isn't. 

 

It was in place, but lightly enforced when I moved here almost 15 years ago. Some cashiers at supermarkets etc would refuse to sell it, causing many a Western expat to lose the plot.

 

 

 

 

I read it was originally introduced to stop students buying alcohol at lunchtime and not going back to school. The 24 hour ban within 400 meters or whatever of schools was a few years ago.

 

Like banning alcohol on trains because some local ticket boy was drunk and drugged on yaba and raped and killed an 8 year old female passenger, it's just stupid. 

[bojo]

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Personally I'd rather they removed the stupid laws, and enforced the serious ones rather than getting some cheap thrill out of "getting away with it" or "beating the system" by buying a beer at a Mom and Pop shop at 3pm. But then, I'm not 14 anymore.

Nothing wrong with a 'cheap thrill' as long as it's not at another's expense..................................

[JeffersLos]

57 minutes ago, tomacht8 said:

In 2015, the sales times were also restricted from 2pm to 5pm, nationwide, even on weekends,

Once again, this law has been in place since long, long before 2015. 

[Mac Mickmanus]

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I don't think you've really thought this through. It obviously depends what the rules are. If they are rules against sexual assault, murder, paedophilia etc. then yes I would like them to be enforced strictly. Wouldn't you? Unfortunately in Thailand you can buy your way out of such offences, it's just a matter of who saw you do it, how much it costs and who you offended against. I suppose you think that's part of the fun of living here?

 

 

This thread is about the alcohol restriction laws and that is what we are talking about , we aren't talking about all laws in general .

  We are discussing the alcohol restrictions laws , absolutely no need for you to make the suggestion that I am a pedophile or that I think those laws against it shouldn't be enforced and no need to eeven mention that subject .

   The alcohol restriction laws is the topic of discussion and that is what I was referring to 

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, bojo said:

Nothing wrong with a 'cheap thrill' as long as it's not at another's expense..................................

But the nonsensical law that enables you to get the 'cheap thrill' by breaking it, at best inconveniences people and at worst is used to extort people.

 

So why have the law?

[JonnyF]

Just now, Mac Mickmanus said:

This thread is about the alcohol restriction laws and that is what we are talking about , we aren't talking about all laws in general .

  We are discussing the alcohol restrictions laws , absolutely no need for you to make the suggestion that I am a pedophile or that I think those laws against it shouldn't be enforced and no need to eeven mention that subject .

   The alcohol restriction laws is the topic of discussion and that is what I was referring to 

I see. You think it's fun to break some laws but not others. Presumably it's down to the individual to decide which laws are 'fun' to break. What could possibly go wrong with such a system?