Bars in Thailand Set to Close This Week for Buddhist ​​​​​​​ Holiday

[Bday Prang]

1 minute ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

On more than one occasion I've heard tourists voice their frustration when they realized their vacation has been cut short a day. It makes absolutely no sense. Should at least allow tourist-oriented venues to serve.

Must be awful, a holiday ruined, Boo Hoo

As an aside I cannot imagine their would be a peep out of the pot heads if cannabis was included. Could this be something to do with how the two substances affect one after long term use? 

The alcoholics seem only to need to see words like "dry day "  "no alcohol sales" and they fall to pieces, their brains so pickled the simple method of stocking up eludes them, every single time and its always the same people

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

Must be awful, a holiday ruined, Boo Hoo

As an aside I cannot imagine their would be a peep out of the pot heads if cannabis was included. Could this be something to do with how the two substances affect one after long term use? 

The alcoholics seem only to need to see words like "dry day "  "no alcohol sales" and they fall to pieces, their brains so pickled the simple method of stocking up eludes them, every single time and its always the same people

 

 

You have missed the point.......................

[norfolkandchance]

3 hours ago, Dazinoz said:

There is no such thing as 12am or 12pm. It's 12 midday or 12 midnight. One reason 24h time was created to prevented confusion.

 

From Google :-

 

AM and PM are abbreviations used to indicate the time of day. AM stands for ante meridiem, which is Latin for "before midday". PM stands for post meridiem, which is Latin for "after midday". 

I always follow 'ZULU TIME'.

[Bday Prang]

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

You have missed the point.......................

which was ?

[scottiejohn]

38 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

Far more important than Alcohol in bars and shops being prevented from selling - I have just been told that hospitals will only be accepting emergencies - no regular visits - is that true

So your problem is obviously not an emergency so why the anguished post?

Re-arrange for another day!

[scottiejohn]

22 minutes ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

None of this is clear, but typically from past experience regartding late night venues (clubs):

Pattaya - some venues open Tuesday night, everything closed Wednesday night.

Bangkok - everything closed Tuesday night, all open Wednesday night at midnight.

Religious/National bans are from Midnight to midnight and election bans are from 6pm the day before to 6pm on the election day, wither local or national!

[hotandsticky]

11 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

which was ?

 

 

See !!

[scottiejohn]

14 minutes ago, norfolkandchance said:

I always follow 'ZULU TIME'.

So you are an hour out when the clocks switch between summer/winter time!

[Bday Prang]

5 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

See !!

why so reluctant to enlighten me ?

[hotandsticky]

4 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

why so reluctant to enlighten me ?

 

 

If you can't see it already, no amount of tuition from me will help you.

[Dazinoz]

37 minutes ago, norfolkandchance said:

I always follow 'ZULU TIME'.

I am in Thailand not Africa.😁

[DrJack54]

Some offensive bickering posts removed.

Should be many more. 

[Negita43]

42 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

So your problem is obviously not an emergency so why the anguished post?

Re-arrange for another day!

No need to be contentious I was just passing on information - I don't have an appointment

[scottiejohn]

4 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

No need to be contentious I was just passing on information - I don't have an appointment

Deleted

No point in replying

[smedly]

4 hours ago, flexomike said:

Read it again and see if you can comprehend what it says

it should have said midnight Tues until midnight wed

[Negita43]

2 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Deleted

No point in replying

Good decision

[Jiggo]

5 hours ago, Unamerican said:

When is 12pm please?  midday or midnight? 

00.59 Tuesday until 00.01 Thursday....

[Elkski]

I know as a tourist person who likes a beer each evening or with dinner this would not be a positive thing. Especially when you read all the crimes monks are in the news for.    The 2-5 ban has also irked me several times.   1 time it really pissed me off.   Started shopping at a grocery at 1  for a weeks stay at a condo in suk, but at checkout it was 2:04 and couldn't buy the beer.   Booze is still sold in all the rural areas so what is the intent because the peasants don't care.  

 

[hotandsticky]

10 minutes ago, Elkski said:

I know as a tourist person who likes a beer each evening or with dinner this would not be a positive thing. Especially when you read all the crimes monks are in the news for.    The 2-5 ban has also irked me several times.   1 time it really pissed me off.   Started shopping at a grocery at 1  for a weeks stay at a condo in suk, but at checkout it was 2:04 and couldn't buy the beer.   Booze is still sold in all the rural areas so what is the intent because the peasants don't care.  

 

 

 

I think this law is pointless and ineffective. Those who need drink will get it - and as many are aware, the village shop is virtually 24/7.

 

For a country with 40m visitors a year the law has a negative impact on tourism. Long gone are the days when I dismissed it as 'cultural' or 'it is their country, up to them'. It is simply a big stick, one size fits all approach that is unintelligent.

 

Prohibition has never worked. Drinking should be left to the individual (within reason) to decide upon and if you are, say, Buddhist and Buddhism says you shall not drink on specific days - then be a Buddhist. 

 

For those who say it is a mark of respect, on the part of foreigners, to adhere to this pathetic law I say nonsense. Respect has to be earned and prohibitive dictates like this do not earn respect.

 

 

[norfolkandchance]

4 hours ago, Dazinoz said:

I am in Thailand not Africa.😁

Whilst on the built up to GW1 in Saudi we played the film ZULU countless times. Even had a quiz on it. One of the questions was how many fillings did Bromhead have.

Guess you were in Milton Keynes then.

[SanSaiExPat]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Composite image for reference only

 

Makha Bucha Day, a key Buddhist celebration, takes place on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. This holiday occurs during the full moon of the third lunar month, commemorating the day when 1,250 of Buddha’s followers gathered spontaneously to hear his teachings on moral conduct and mental purification.

 

On Makha Bucha Day, many Thais visit temples to participate in religious rituals, offer food to monks, meditate, and join candlelit processions. It is also a common practice to abstain from alcohol and other pleasures as a gesture of respect and mindfulness.

 

In accordance with Thai law, alcohol sales are banned on religious holidays. As a result, all bars will be closed, and convenience stores will not be able to sell alcohol for a full 24-hour period, from midnight to midnight on Wednesday.

 

Violators of this regulation face hefty fines and potential prison sentences, reported The Phuket Express.

 

-- 2025-02-10

 

 

 

Give your LIVER A BREAK DAY.

[Luuk Chaai]

15 hours ago, Mywayboy said:

if they followed true Buddhist beliefs & they would abstain from all Alcohol & killing animals 

and each other ..  unless it falls under footnote 135-A section 13 paragraph 6

 Does not pertain to the guy that your drunk wife slept with 

[danfoss5000]

mom and pop stores sales in for a boost

[NoshowJones]

23 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Why punish non-Buddhists for not joining the club .................😥👀 - LOL 

I am a non drinker and do not frequent bars, but that is a full days pay being lost to employees and owners, all just for religion. I think it is way out of order.

[Briggsy]

Goodness me, this happens over 10 times a year with every election and Buddhist Day.

 

Each time, the monger / alcoholic lot are up in arms.

 

The reaction is farcical.

[kingstonkid]

18 hours ago, Surasak said:

The only country I know which did that was Wales.

You were never in North America then.  Canada used to be locked up tight.  bars were not even allowed to open to sell pop.

 

[madone]

21 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

No one goes for a cocktail at the  crappy beer bars.

 

it seems you struggle with the meaning of the word "or"

 

Nor did I say anything about beer bars.

 

here is what I did say before you gave me some nonsense about hotel bars and clubs for "discerning Asians":

 

Quote

and what about those non-sensible folks that don't drink at home, but enjoy the social aspect of going out for a cocktail or having a beer while people watching?

I don't know where you live but beer bars are not the sole option in Bangkok, in fact there seem to be less every day.

[madone]

17 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Must be awful, a holiday ruined, Boo Hoo

As an aside I cannot imagine their would be a peep out of the pot heads if cannabis was included. Could this be something to do with how the two substances affect one after long term use? 

The alcoholics seem only to need to see words like "dry day "  "no alcohol sales" and they fall to pieces, their brains so pickled the simple method of stocking up eludes them, every single time and its always the same people

 

back when alcohol was a shared hobby between myself and a rather large group of friends, we would just hop in a taxi and see where they took us, some of the best, albeit blurriest days ever

[saintdomingo]

22 hours ago, 1happykamper said:

I thought Buddhism wasn't a religion? 😂😂😂.

 

Thailand has such silly laws that no one really understands the "why" of. 

There is no expectation for foreigners to understand "why", knowing "what" is enough. 

An analogy would be that it is often said the law is for the benefit of the legal profession, Thailand is for the benefit of the Thai people. At least the Thai establishment.

[saintdomingo]

22 hours ago, Spock said:

It's not a case of living without alcohol but of drinking it in public. Sensible people stock up their fridge the night before and drink in their room or at home.

Predictable meaningless comment about bar closures. Like me many people do not want to stock up and drink at home, they enjoy the pub or bar atmosphere.

I have not kept a beer in the fridge for decades. Not a solitary drinker.