Pattaya on pause: Plan ahead or lose the booze

[snoop1130]

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

 

 

[Will B Good]

 

 

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

[Tropicalevo]

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. 

[Mason45]

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