Thai Health minister says no to 4am pub closing, except in tourist areas

[webfact]

 

The Ministry of Public Health is against a proposal to allow pubs to stay open until 4am (instead of 2am) as a matter of principle for public welfare and safety, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told a meeting of the board of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) on Sunday.

 

He also said, however, that the ministry may agree to allow pubs in certain major tourist destinations to operate up to 4am on case by case basis, adding that the ministry will try to maintain a balance between social and economic aspects, so no harm is caused.

 

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports wants pubs in tourist destinations, such as Phuket and Pattaya, to stay open until 4am to attract tourists.

 

He disclosed that road accidents during the 2023 New Year festival dropped by about 20%, compared to last year, thanks to the cooperation of all parties concerned, including ThaiHealth for their road safety campaign.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-health-minister-says-no-to-4am-pub-closing-except-in-tourist-areas/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-02-20

 

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[still kicking]

But it is OK to smoke dope. 

[Artisi]

Seems he isn't involved with pub ownership. 

[ezzra]

Please clue me now, how pub opening hours connected in any way to the health issue of the public? anyone? and why in tourist area there are no concern for public wellbeing while in non-tourist areas there are?

[PingRoundTheWorld]

27 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Please clue me now, how pub opening hours connected in any way to the health issue of the public?

Exactly what I was thinking - who cares what the ministry of health thinks - it's not their area of expertise nor should it be his decision.

[Geoffggi]

3 hours ago, still kicking said:

But it is OK to smoke dope. 

Yes, providing one follows the guidelines which also include hours of business .......................LOL

[ikke1959]

there are laws/rules.. but there are also many exceptions or places where it is different... and that is why it is a mess as nobody anymore knows what law/rule is where for for who....start with making everything clear... bars close at 2 am.. for everybody and everywhere... finished...

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He also said, however, that the ministry may agree to allow pubs in certain major tourist destinations to operate up to 4am on case by case basis

Well, we all know what that means, don't we. An open invitation to buy consent. They don't even try to hide it.

[ThailandRyan]

4 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Well, we all know what that means, don't we. An open invitation to buy consent. They don't even try to hide it.

Here's the envelope, oh it's too thin, well sorry can't give more to the backers if I give you more....I guess we will just close as per the regulations...no money needed.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Exactly what I was thinking - who cares what the ministry of health thinks - it's not their area of expertise nor should it be his decision.

Maybe the ministry of health have to pick-up the pieces after drunken street fights, drunken domestic violence, vehicle accidents etc etc.

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Please clue me now, how pub opening hours connected in any way to the health issue of the public? anyone? and why in tourist area there are no concern for public wellbeing while in non-tourist areas there are?

You really don't need any clues; you are fully aware of the level of stupidity within the inner circle of the Thai political circus ????. 

[khaowong1]

Like us farangs needs anymore <deleted> held against us.  

 

[sammieuk1]

There should be a special entry in all dictionaries for "Thai health minister" as its so different to the norm ????  

[BananaStrong]

I just got home....

 

Pattaya night life is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

OK, I'll sleep until 8 p.m. and then I better find a place open until 4!!!!!!

[DJ54]

Easy spin it this way… and that way whatever makes people vote for his agenda….

[ignore it]

RTP issues statement opposing 4:00 AM bar closings.

"4AM closings will negatively affect our extortion activities and sleep schedules.  Staying up that late will cause disruptions to our afternoon nap time."

[Venom]

Simple don't by in tourist area including and especially not a Thai tourist area. Now all you have to worry about is the neighbors opening a pig farm, steel workshop, motorcycle repair shop, recycle junk shop etc etc...  ????

[Hummin]

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

Please clue me now, how pub opening hours connected in any way to the health issue of the public? anyone? and why in tourist area there are no concern for public wellbeing while in non-tourist areas there are?

It is a difference whit two major night clubs open who hopefully do not disturb to many, as many bars is located in living areas.

 

I am surprised people do not understand the risk of having bars open to 4 in the morning? The noise for people trying to sleep, the possibility of more drunk people spread out on 2 more hours, drunk driving, and the excess consumption of alchohol you manage to drink. More fights and more hurt themselves in individual accidents out of stupidity.

 

Why is it important to have bars open ton 4 in the morning? Im sure the very same bars who always been open 24 hours (sports bars) will still be open as usual. 

 

 

[Gandtee]

"certain major tourist destinations to operate up to 4am on case by case basis," Who offers the most sweetner?????

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Well, we all know what that means, don't we. An open invitation to buy consent. They don't even try to hide it.

Every civilized countries have the same regulations they now try to implement based on studies from many different countries.

 

drinking and road accidents. Longer sale hours in Iceland also led to a rise in emergency-ward patients, injuries, quarrels, physical assaults and drink-driving.

He added that Norway saw a 16 per cent rise in physical assaults after extending alcohol sales by just one hour.

“From the academic data and experiences of several countries, it is clear that restricting the days and hours in which alcohol can be sold is an effective measure for preventing and reducing problems related to drinking,” Surasak said

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40018893

[mjakob007]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

may agree to allow pubs in certain major tourist destinations to operate up to 4am on case by case basis

emphasis: 'case by case basis'

 

Some brown uniformed gentlemen were seen rubbing their hands in preparation

[riverhigh]

I am in total agreement with the ministry of health, there is absolutely no reason for bars to  be open until 4 am. Society should not cater to the greedy bar owners and their alcoholic patrons who add little, if anything, to the well-being of society. I have little time for self-absorbed, boozed-up expats running around in the early hours of the  morning causing problems.

[Hummin]

4 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

I am in total agreement with the ministry of health, there is absolutely no reason for bars to  be open until 4 am. Society should not cater to the greedy bar owners and their alcoholic patrons who add little, if anything, to the well-being of society. I have little time for self-absorbed, boozed-up expats running around in the early hours of the  morning causing problems.

If people could remain silent after drinking all night when going home, it would had been easier to accept longer openings times. 

 

Instead of having people coming laud and drunk back to the hotels in a limited time, it will not be silent on the hotels before 5-6 in the morning, because they need to eat and drink more before they going to sleep. 

 

 

[bradiston]

"The Ministry of Public Health is against a proposal to allow pubs to stay open until 4am (instead of 2am) as a matter of principle for public welfare and safety, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told a meeting of the board of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) on Sunday."

 

So if public welfare and safety are the issues, how about checking the health and safety aspects of the bars' fire exits, inflammable materials etc etc. How many have died in recent months due to lapses in these areas? If he's responsible for public welfare and safety, thosed deaths should be laid at his door.

[Bangkok Barry]

52 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Every civilized countries have the same regulations they now try to implement based on studies from many different countries.

 

drinking and road accidents. Longer sale hours in Iceland also led to a rise in emergency-ward patients, injuries, quarrels, physical assaults and drink-driving.

He added that Norway saw a 16 per cent rise in physical assaults after extending alcohol sales by just one hour.

“From the academic data and experiences of several countries, it is clear that restricting the days and hours in which alcohol can be sold is an effective measure for preventing and reducing problems related to drinking,” Surasak said

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40018893

You totally ignored my point about 'selected' places will be allowed to open until 4. And I suppose customers in those places won't be at risk to themselves and others? 

[jacko45k]

Just now, Bangkok Barry said:

And I suppose customers in those places won't be at risk to themselves and others? 

Driving homeward was my thought!

[metisdead]

Some troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

It is a difference whit two major night clubs open who hopefully do not disturb to many, as many bars is located in living areas

 

4 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

You totally ignored my point about 'selected' places will be allowed to open until 4. And I suppose customers in those places won't be at risk to themselves and others?

I answered that in the post before

[LALes]

Here we go again.  Same old arguments and same old proposed solutions.

The alcoholic crowd can't see anything past their own noses.  Public safety is only a small part of the problem.  Disturbing the peace is the larger issue which no one wants to address.  Open air bars blasting loud music all night with screaming drunks in residential neighborhoods is a real problem that will only get worse with a 4 am closing time.  The fact that Anutin has left the door open is an open invitation to more bribery and no enforcement of what defines a "tourist area".  Can't we just squash this proposal once and for all?

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

against a proposal to allow pubs to stay open until 4am (instead of 2am) as a matter of principle

Anutin invoking a principle...  

 

Principle: a moral rule or standard of good behavior or fair dealing