Picture courtesy of The Moscow Times

 

By Bob Scott

 

Local officials in Pattaya issued a gentle reminder to plan carefully for upcoming events in the city including the Chon Buri local elections and the booze bans.

 

Locals, visitors and tourists in Pattaya should mark their calendars as the region is likely to go dry from 5pm on January 31 to 5pm on February 1.

 

While the exact date hasn’t been finalised, this schedule is almost a sure thing. Under Thai law, booze bans kick in 24 hours before elections and continue through voting, affecting everyone regardless of whether they’re casting a vote, reported Pattaya News.

 

Although other local elections might pop up across Thailand, this one’s the biggie for Pattaya, focusing on regional positions, Pattaya’s mayor won’t be on the ballot this year.

 

 

Religious Holidays:

 

• Makha Bucha Day: February 12, a Wednesday.
• Visakha Bucha Day: May 11, a Sunday. Note, while Monday, May 12, is a government holiday, the bars will be back in business.
• Asalha Bucha Day: July 10, a Thursday.
• Buddhist Lent Day: July 11, a Friday.
• End of Buddhist Lent Day: October 7, a Tuesday.

 

These dry days honour Thailand’s rich Buddhist traditions or support the electoral process.

 

Visitors should plan their affairs with these in mind. While some sports bars or restaurant/bar hybrids might keep their doors open, they’re legally barred from serving alcohol on these sacred days.

 

Typically, the dry spell lasts a full 24 hours, from midnight to midnight, though local officials sometimes offer a bit of wiggle room with slightly adjusted timings.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-13

 

 

 

 

Wasn't it great when there were illegal bars just about everywhere? 

I am sure that 'no alcohol' days are not a problem for us AN readers.

We know everything. 

I am sure that we all know somewhere to get a brew if we need it. 

To honor Thailands rich Buddhist traditions, if only the people who believe this were to practice what they preach.

12 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I am sure that 'no alcohol' days are not a problem for us AN readers.

We know everything. 

I am sure that we all know somewhere to get a brew if we need it. 

My local Mom & Pop shop serve with a smile.

The beach vendors at Patong beach have no problem selling alcohol.

Winners take in the Brown envelopes!🤑

These same religious holidays occur every year, what is the fuss about?

24 hours without booze, oh my!

That sure is a good reason to get one's blood-alcohol level up the day before!

 

Mathematically, your body metabolizes alcohol at a rate of 0.016% per hour.  This means that one should just prep themselves by getting their BAC up to at least 0.384% by 5PM when the ban begins!  Then everyone could easily  "ride that buzz" during the 24-hour ban.

 

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

My local Mom & Pop shop serve with a smile.

 

Same here and if I had too many to drive to them they will deliver to me !

33 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

These same religious holidays occur every year, what is the fuss about?

This story is to point out there is an upcoming election and a similar ban in place.

37 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

These same religious holidays occur every year, what is the fuss about?

All alcohol bans should be done away with in designated tourist areas. It's the Buddhist followers who should observe these days and many Thais simply don't. Don't worry the parliamentary  members bar will be open 24/7 with booze flowing freely. These same guys are all devoted Buddhists.

2 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

All alcohol bans should be done away with in designated tourist areas. It's the Buddhist followers who should observe these days and many Thais simply don't. 

 

This story is about an upcoming election day.

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

 

This story is about an upcoming election day.

That's even a more ridiculous ban considering what the local Councillors contribute to the community. By the way, I did mean all booze ban days, not just the Buddhist days.

11 hours ago, Mason45 said:

To honor Thailands rich Buddhist traditions, if only the people who believe this were to practice what they preach.

Thais that drink alcohol will be drinking alcohol on all the above mentioned dates. As a guess this would run into millions probably 10's of millions of Thais. Just shows what a complete nonsense this whole prohibition is.

Local elections (PAO?) are nationwide on Sunday Feb 1.

So from Saturday Jan 31, 6 PM there is alc ban officially.

Not quite sure but I thinks it ends 24h later, Sunday 6 PM.

4 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Thais that drink alcohol will be drinking alcohol on all the above mentioned dates. As a guess this would run into millions probably 10's of millions of Thais. Just shows what a complete nonsense this whole prohibition is.

 

 

Indeed. There is no law against drinking alcohol - just illegal to sell it.

7 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Local elections (PAO?) are nationwide on Sunday Feb 1.

So from Saturday Jan 31, 6 PM there is alc ban officially.

Not quite sure but I thinks it ends 24h later, Sunday 6 PM.

5pm-5pm???

38 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

All alcohol bans should be done away with in designated tourist areas. It's the Buddhist followers who should observe these days and many Thais simply don't. Don't worry the parliamentary  members bar will be open 24/7 with booze flowing freely. These same guys are all devoted Buddhists.

I said the same thing when I was living and working in Saudi Arabia.....  didn't fly there either!

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I said the same thing when I was living and working in Saudi Arabia.....  didn't fly there either!

I miss the SID.

19 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

5pm-5pm???

Hmm

Maybe.

Will try to find.

 

And I got it wrong. 

Feb 1 is a Saturday of course.

Stay tuned 😁

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

While some sports bars or restaurant/bar hybrids might keep their doors open, they’re legally barred from serving alcohol on these sacred days.

Nothing worse than drinking beer out of a coffee mug. 

 

4 minutes ago, norfolkandchance said:

I miss the SID.

Yes my friend. Stuff ruined me, couldn't get a drink strong enough when I was back in the UK. 

As written elections are on Sat Feb 1. End 5 PM.

So the weekend is saved 😁

 

1 minute ago, KhunBENQ said:

As written elections are on Sat Feb 1. End 5 PM.

So the weekend is saved 😁

 

Unless you consider Friday night to be part of the weekend.  Also confirms what the original story stated.

 A Pattaya without booze is like Pattaya without hookers. It does not exist.

18 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Yes my friend. Stuff ruined me, couldn't get a drink strong enough when I was back in the UK. 

Indeed. We had to cut it 3-1 when the nurses visited at the weekend. Happy 8 years.

24 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Nothing worse than drinking beer out of a coffee mug. 

 

Soi 4 Jomtien Beach.

All very well and good but it doesn't really make much sense they have a photo of a Russian off license in the article!

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

My local Mom & Pop shop serve with a smile.

With the difference that most ‘local Mom & Pop shops’ do not sell wine.