Thai road safety groups challenge extended bar hours over drink-driving fears

[snoop1130]

 

Alcohol temperance and road safety groups are challenging the new government decision to allow late-night bars and clubs in major Thai cities to extend opening hours until 4am. The critics argue that the authorities failed to make necessary arrangements to avert potential alcohol-related mishaps.

 

This protest follows an announcement made by the Interior Ministry nearly a week ago, permitting bars and clubs in Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui on Surat Thani to extend opening hours until 4am, effective from December 15.

 

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt recently clarified that the revised timings would be tested along Silom Road, Royal City Avenue (RCA), Ratchadaphisek Road, and venues within hotels in Bangkok.

 

“We are committed to partnering with local authorities to ensure these venues refrain from admitting anyone under 18. We will request the police to establish checkpoints to monitor drink-driving and drug usage to prevent accidents.”

 

While businesses have given a thumbs up to this policy, alcohol temperance campaigners argue that the government must reconsider its plan to prevent a potential rise in road fatalities.

 

During a meeting arranged by Pheu Thai MP Khattiya Sawatdipol, Theera Watcharapranee, president of the Stop Drinking Network, voiced concerns that without proper preparations, this new policy could lead to an increase in road fatalities rather than boosting the economy.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Picture courtesy of ASEAN Now

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-05

 

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[richard_smith237]

Perhaps they should first focus on the general apathy of law enforcement towards enforcement of DUI and continued enabling of drunk driving....

 

The biggest single impact to DUI will be a cultural shift in attitudes towards drink driving, this will come from strict law enforcement, not different opening hours.

 

 

 

Edited December 5, 2023 by richard_smith237

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

We are committed to partnering with local authorities to ensure these venues refrain from admitting anyone under 18. We will request the police to establish checkpoints to monitor drink-driving and drug usage to prevent accidents.”

 

... and then theres this......  the under 18's don't drive anyway (theoretically).

[ikke1959]

The night is for the vermin..... Stop the idiots of the entertainment industry. 2 am is more than enough

[timendres]

8 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

The night is for the vermin.....

 

I resemble that statement.

[rovinman]

7 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The night is for the vermin..... Stop the idiots of the entertainment industry. 2 am is more than enough

 

A little harsh on the BIB I feel,   !

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Alcohol temperance and road safety groups are challenging the new government decision to allow late-night bars and clubs in major Thai cities to extend opening hours until 4am. The critics argue that the authorities failed to make necessary arrangements to avert potential alcohol-related mishaps.

Just put patrol cars and check points near to known hot-spot bar areas. Very visible and check anyone that drives/rides.

[Skipalongcassidy]

Typical Thai thinking... much like the ban on alcohol sales during certain hours... they think that it stops the underage from buying alcohol during their lunch breaks and on their way home from school... they are only fooling themselves... the major impact is to restrict the entertainment venues of additional revenue... the underage delinquents can and do buy alcohol at their local stores the same as before.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The night is for the vermin..... Stop the idiots of the entertainment industry. 2 am is more than enough

Maybe normal open-air bars, beer gardens, pubs, clubs, karaoke bars, restaurants serving drinks should close 2am.

Enclosed clubs with security may close 4am, with strict measures on entry, ages of customers and their condition apon arrival, searched for drugs or weapons etc.

 

[Gumballl]

28 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Just put patrol cars and check points near to known hot-spot bar areas. Very visible and check anyone that drives/rides.

You missed the point.

 

Drunk driving should be penalized with incarceration; not slaps on the wrist. There should not be an in-between ground. If the perp has 0.08+% alcohol reading, then off to the irons. I don't care if Thai or (fat) farlang.

 

I like to drink (perhaps too much). But I am not stupid; I do not drive to a watering-hole.

[hotchilli]

4 minutes ago, Gumballl said:

You missed the point.

 

Drunk driving should be penalized with incarceration; not slaps on the wrist. There should not be an in-between ground. If the perp has 0.08+% alcohol reading, then off to the irons. I don't care if Thai or (fat) farlang.

 

I like to drink (perhaps too much). But I am not stupid; I do not drive to a watering-hole.

It's a start, maybe people will realise drink and drive the chances are you're going to get stopped sooner rather than later.

But as you say the courts should play their part.

Strict mandatory terms for offences.

Deaths or injuries should be very harsh, 

It's time to change the culture of drinking and driving is acceptable behaviour.

[ikke1959]

46 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Just put patrol cars and check points near to known hot-spot bar areas. Very visible and check anyone that drives/rides.

We all know that during daytime they even don't do their work, and surely not at night.. after 17.00 the workday is over 

[hotchilli]

3 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

We all know that during daytime they even don't do their work, and surely not at night.. after 17.00 the workday is over 

Which is why most nights roads are a free-for-all.

[herfiehandbag]

8 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The night is for the vermin..... Stop the idiots of the entertainment industry. 2 am is more than enough

Ah, so nice to see open minded tolerance raise it's head in this discussion again!

[ikke1959]

47 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Maybe normal open-air bars, beer gardens, pubs, clubs, karaoke bars, restaurants serving drinks should close 2am.

Enclosed clubs with security may close 4am, with strict measures on entry, ages of customers and their condition apon arrival, searched for drugs or weapons etc.

 

And who will check??? RTP is doing nothing even in daytime, and the corruption will be rising for hose who do the job... Close at 1 or 2 am ok.. In certain areas with strict controls only in the weekend till 4 am. But IMO first start with the entertainment industry to check all licenses and see if they follow the rules before giving them  what they want. we all know and read the last year about underaged people , alcohol abuse, drugs gambling and even sadly even fire with no free exits to flee....Let the entertainment industry first invest and follow the rules before giving them what they want

Edited December 6, 2023 by ikke1959

[Ralf001]

22 minutes ago, Gumballl said:

You missed the point.

 

Drunk driving should be penalized with incarceration; not slaps on the wrist. There should not be an in-between ground. If the perp has 0.08+% alcohol reading, then off to the irons. I don't care if Thai or (fat) farlang.

 

I like to drink (perhaps too much). But I am not stupid; I do not drive to a watering-hole.

 

Jail for mid range is ludicrous.

[Mike Lister]

The problem is not the opening hours, the problem is the lack of policing and deterrent, just as it is with many other issues here.

[smedly]

i cannot see the logicical thinking here, anyone that goes out with the intention to drink and drive are going to do it regardless of what time the venue closes, it is not a viable option to curb drink driving, a viable option would be to get the police to do their job but then they are probably all drunk by then and driving home

[Ralf001]

8 minutes ago, smedly said:

i cannot see the logicical thinking here, anyone that goes out with the intention to drink and drive are going to do it regardless of what time the venue closes, it is not a viable option to curb drink driving, a viable option would be to get the police to do their job but then they are probably all drunk by then and driving home

 

sober people actually plan to go out, get plastered then drive home ?

Edited December 6, 2023 by Ralf001

[smedly]

9 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

sober people actually plan to go out, get plastered then drive home ?

yes

[itsari]

Quality tourists are what we were told Thailand wants to attract .

How can a 4am closing time achieve attracting quality . 

 

[Mike Lister]

1 minute ago, itsari said:

Quality tourists are what we were told Thailand wants to attract .

How can a 4am closing time achieve attracting quality . 

 

I'm certain that quality tourists enjoy late nights and night life, just the same as bogans and mongers.

[2baht]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Just put patrol cars and check points near to known hot-spot bar areas. Very visible and check anyone that drives/rides.

Why not just let the cull continue, they don't seem to mind!

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

It's a start, maybe people will realise drink and drive the chances are you're going to get stopped sooner rather than later.

But as you say the courts should play their part.

Strict mandatory terms for offences.

Deaths or injuries should be very harsh, 

It's time to change the culture of drinking and driving is acceptable behaviour.

 

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

And who will check??? RTP is doing nothing even in daytime, and the corruption will be rising for hose who do the job... Close at 1 or 2 am ok.. In certain areas with strict controls only in the weekend till 4 am. But IMO first start with the entertainment industry to check all licenses and see if they follow the rules before giving them  what they want. we all know and read the last year about underaged people , alcohol abuse, drugs gambling and even sadly even fire with no free exits to flee....Let the entertainment industry first invest and follow the rules before giving them what they want

The clubs are checked for all relevant licences, safety and fire precautions.
Passing this inspection they will be granted an extension to 4am, entrance checks to be made by qualified trained door staff.
any slip-ups the license is revoked.
 

[2baht]

Let them wallow in their own complaceny, to effect change, you must first want it!

[mrfill]

The challenge will probably be rebutted on the basis that the extended hours will be great for the economy. The bars sell more drink, the hospitals get more customers and the repair shops are kept busy. It can also generate money for the police in fines/non-fines. 

 

Case dismissed....

[CDG931]

The problem is not there at all. In a perfect world, the Thai police would do their job.

 

[richard_smith237]

11 hours ago, Gumballl said:

I like to drink (perhaps too much). But I am not stupid; I do not drive to a watering-hole.

 

People driving too the watering-hole is not the problem...  its the driving home !!!... 

 

Obviously I get your point though... Too many times I've driven somewhere, then fancied a beer.. but can't have more than a couple because I'm driving and the car becomes a burden... So, unless the Wife is with me, I just don't bother taking the car out at all now, just incase I fancy a beer !!!... 

 

 

 

 

[Ralf001]

22 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

People driving too the watering-hole is not the problem...  its the driving home !!!... 

 

Obviously I get your point though... Too many times I've driven somewhere, then fancied a beer.. but can't have more than a couple because I'm driving and the car becomes a burden... So, unless the Wife is with me, I just don't bother taking the car out at all now, just incase I fancy a beer !!!... 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah always drove.... then caught a bolt home.

 

Issue was trying to find the car the next day..

 

I now leave car at home !!