Nationwide Alcohol Sales Ban Set for October 17th as Thailand Marks End of Buddhist Lent

[webfact]

The end of Buddhist Lent, Awk Phansa, will take place on Thursday, October 17th this year, and a nationwide sales ban on alcohol will be enforced for 24 hours.

Under the Alcohol Control Act, this ban applies to all establishments except duty-free shops in international airports. The official prohibition runs from midnight on Wednesday, October 16th, to midnight on Thursday, October 17th.

Violating this law can result in a fine of up to 10,000 baht, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

The end of Buddhist Lent is one of the five major Buddhist holidays in Thailand, alongside Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, and Khao Pansa (the start of Buddhist Lent).

 

While many foreigners may only associate this day with the temporary closure of bars and a 24-hour alcohol sales ban, it holds deep significance for the Buddhist community.

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS

 

-- 2024-10-14

 

 

[daveAustin]

Buddhists desiring that people don't do something. Hmm. How buddhist of them.

[ikke1959]

Are immigration offices closed that   day too??can't find anywhere on internet.. And the whole alcohol sales ban should eb reviewed for the tourism industry...

[KhunBENQ]

6 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Are immigration offices closed that   day too??can't find anywhere on internet.. And the whole alcohol sales ban should eb reviewed for the tourism industry...

Neither immigration calendar nor Bank of Thailand show a closure for Oct 17.

[Watawattana]

10 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

And the whole alcohol sales ban should eb reviewed for the tourism industry...

As someone who enjoys a beer or six, of course I get what you say.  But TIT and I think I'd want to respect the local culture wherever I am, whether I like it or not.  At least users of this Forum know about the 17th and can "prepare"; either filling an empty fridge or flying somewhere without such restriction.  Tourists going to Thailand may not know about this though, and I feel worse for them.  Of course they should have known, but we all know that reality.

[Tony M]

The police in Jomtien have handed out the attached to bars along Jomtien Beach Road. It seems to say that alcohol cannot be sold from 4 pm to midnight today, tomorrow and Wednesday ?

 

 

 

or maybe it says they are carrying out inspections ?  Inspections of what ?

[KhaoNiaw]

18 minutes ago, Tony M said:

or maybe it says they are carrying out inspections ?  Inspections of what ?

 

It says they're sending teams out for PR purposes to inform the bars that they're not allowed to sell alcohol on the 17th. 

[Tony M]

45 minutes ago, KhaoNiaw said:

 

It says they're sending teams out for PR purposes to inform the bars that they're not allowed to sell alcohol on the 17th. 

Thank you.  I wonder why they are doing that ?  Its sort of unusual, isn't it ?

[brianthainess]

Well that's that then, my wife stopped drinking for 3 months as she does every year, it has been nice her coming home sober, and at a reasonable time, now it will be back to normal, sitting at her shop getting pissed every night with her friends the first few days will be the worst making up for lost time. Oh well never mind it is what it is.

[edwinchester]

If I can't buy a beer in our village this coming Buddhist holiday it'll be the first time in my 23 years here.

[damo1967]

4 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

If I can't buy a beer in our village this coming Buddhist holiday it'll be the first time in my 23 years here.

100% - if people take a back-pack into a small family run business.. can always buy alcohol 365 days a year.

[lordgrinz]

7 hours ago, damo1967 said:

100% - if people take a back-pack into a small family run business.. can always buy alcohol 365 days a year.

 

Well, it's like all the other laws here, they're only considered suggestions, very few follow or care about laws in Thailand. Plus we all know the RTP is asleep at the wheel, so nothing to fear from them.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

The end of Buddhist Lent, Awk Phansa, will take place on Thursday, October 17th this year, and a nationwide sales ban on alcohol will be enforced for 24 hours.

The tourists and entertainment/restaurant businesses will be so grateful for the day of abstinence

[thesetat2013]

15 hours ago, edwinchester said:

If I can't buy a beer in our village this coming Buddhist holiday it'll be the first time in my 23 years here.

Do not worry... there will be lots of Mom and Pop stores where you can buy your beer and whiskey. Especially in a small village. 

[Snackbar]

Alcohol, the off switch, for the masses

[dinsdale]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

While many foreigners may only associate this day with the temporary closure of bars and a 24-hour alcohol sales ban, it holds deep significance for the Buddhist community.

I'm sure it does but it won't stop millions of said community getting boozed up on the day and neither will the ridiculous alcohol ban.

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, Snackbar said:

Alcohol, the off switch, for the masses

 

[dinsdale]

10 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Well, it's like all the other laws here, they're only considered suggestions, very few follow or care about laws in Thailand. Plus we all know the RTP is asleep at the wheel, so nothing to fear from them.

Not this one. Try and buy a beer from 711 on the day. Same as the midnight-11:00am and 2-5pm. Not all mom and pop shops will sell on the day either. 

[dinsdale]

21 hours ago, Watawattana said:

As someone who enjoys a beer or six, of course I get what you say.  But TIT and I think I'd want to respect the local culture wherever I am, whether I like it or not.  At least users of this Forum know about the 17th and can "prepare"; either filling an empty fridge or flying somewhere without such restriction.  Tourists going to Thailand may not know about this though, and I feel worse for them.  Of course they should have known, but we all know that reality.

The "local culture" for many Thais will be enjoying the day off with more than a beer or three. This too should be respected?

[Wrwest]

On 10/14/2024 at 8:58 AM, daveAustin said:

Buddhists desiring that people don't do something. Hmm. How buddhist of them.

It does remind me of past days when alcohol sales were forbidden on Sunday. Also, where local counties (120 of them in Kentucky) decided whether they were "wet" or "dry". For "dry" counties you just went through the trouble of driving to the next "wet" county to stock up!. Oh, need I point out ... not Buddhist. The core teaching in either case was against using anything to dull you human senses. Ah, yes, I recall: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging and whosoever is there deceived is not wise". Personally, as I am not deceived, I do not apply the Biblical saying to myself. Ha!

[brewsterbudgen]

53 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I'm sure it does but it won't stop millions of said community getting boozed up on the day and neither will the ridiculous alcohol ban.

There's no ban on getting boozed up - just selling alcohol.  The 'said community' just needs to ensure they have supplies.

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

There's no ban on getting boozed up - just selling alcohol.  The 'said community' just needs to ensure they have supplies.

Well aware of this. Question is why is it in place when everyone knows how to and does get around it. The cost is it harms business through lost revenue. Where is the benefit? There isn't any. It's just an anachronistic law. Have a referendum on this issue alone questions being Yes: Scrap all existing alcohol sales prohibitions and No: Keep all existing existing alcohol prohibitions and the Yes vote would be a clear winner. Of course TIT and being a clear winner doesn't mean winning.

[john donson]

silly law, pro's stock up in advance, as always

[Watawattana]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

The "local culture" for many Thais will be enjoying the day off with more than a beer or three. This too should be respected?

I'm totally happy to respect that, no matter their nationality.  Obviously I can only speak for myself and nobody else.  

[Purdey]

It is a religious holiday. Their religion. Best to respect it.

[dinsdale]

1 minute ago, john donson said:

silly law, pro's stock up in advance, as always

No need. Can buy on the day no problem which everyone or most in Thailand can which makes this law completely ridiculous. Might be a bit more difficult in cities but still possible. Out in the villages no problem.

[dinsdale]

6 minutes ago, Purdey said:

It is a religious holiday. Their religion. Best to respect it.

Why does this demand respect when Thais will be drinking alcohol and enjoying their day off as I type? Sadly they can't go to a restaurant and have a beer with their meals and add to the economy and the businesses. It's a law enforced to appease a minority.

[hotandsticky]

12 minutes ago, Purdey said:

It is a religious holiday. Their religion. Best to respect it.

 

 

Can you not respect a culture AND have a drink?

[hotandsticky]

On 10/14/2024 at 10:38 AM, ikke1959 said:

Are immigration offices closed that   day too??can't find anywhere on internet.. And the whole alcohol sales ban should eb reviewed for the tourism industry...

 

It is not a bank/office holiday.

 

Never mind the tourist industry this an antiquated law that needs abolishing. Prohibition has never worked  -  and certainly not in Thailand.

[ikke1959]

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

It is a religious holiday. Their religion. Best to respect it.

What is "their " religion??? Thailand is not even a real Buddhistic country but a mix of several other religions hanged under Buddhism.. and in other real Buddhist countries there is no law that there is no alcohol sales on holidays