Cha-am Beach May Allow Booze on Buddhist Holy Days

 

File photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Cha-am in Phetchaburi Province is weighing up booze sales on five Buddhist holy days, aiming to draw tourists and give the local economy a lift.

 

Deputy Provincial Governor Wanpen Mungsri announced plans to permit alcohol on Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, Makha Bucha, Buddhist Lent, and the end of Buddhist Lent days.

 

Sales would be allowed from Cha-am beach to the areas west of Phetkasem Road, offering limited coverage within the municipality, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Wanpen emphasised the need for a public forum to gather local opinions from businesses and residents. The initiative targets economic benefits and increased tourism, amid eased governmental restrictions on alcohol in certain areas since May.

 

Authorities have retained control to prevent disturbances and ensure minors are not affected, highlighting a balanced approach between tradition and tourism.

 

The decision reflects a potential shift towards accommodating visitors while respecting cultural practices.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-26

 

A spark of common sense.. lets hope it catches on fire.

Anachronistic law pushed by ultra-conservative Buddhists. Should be scrapped nation wide. Reality is millions of Thais consume alcohol on these days.

Joke!!!! Up the road a few klicks to Hua Hin you have been able to drink on the beach on Buddah days for donkeys years 5555.

1 hour ago, DPKANKAN said:

Joke!!!! Up the road a few klicks to Hua Hin you have been able to drink on the beach on Buddah days for donkeys years 5555.

But can you purchase it?

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

But can you purchase it?

In a hotel, restaurant or bar, yes you can. 

Did Buddha ever even MENTION alcohol???

Thank goodness. Commonsense at last.

I bet it doesn't fly.  Cha-am is a predominately Thai beach and beach area.  Hua Hin is the best candidate for foreign tourist who this change in the law would be targeting.  Well? Unless Cha-am is TARGETING more foreigners by opening up alcohol sales during Buddhist holidays.  Really - if you're a Buddhist and choose not to drink on those holidays, it should be up to you.  Typical Yank - I hate government overreach.  Like I don't drink during Buddhist Lent - but?  THAT'S MY CHOICE!  No one with a badge is forcing me to refrain.  That's the way it should be, especially in a country where maybe 2% of the foreign tourists for the West are Buddhists. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Felton Jarvis said:

Did Buddha ever even MENTION alcohol???

Yes.

From the original Pali:

Surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi."This translates to: "I undertake the training rule to abstain from fermented and distilled liquors which cause intoxication and heedlessness."

5 hours ago, DPKANKAN said:

Joke!!!! Up the road a few klicks to Hua Hin you have been able to drink on the beach on Buddah days for donkeys years 5555.

I can drink any day I want, any time I want in the village.  There's village life for you.  

10 minutes ago, connda said:

I can drink any day I want, any time I want in the village.  There's village life for you.  

 

You have to be pissed to put up with it

At my condo, we got ONE visit from the cops, trying to find booze infractions in the mini mart within the condo but the security guard told us that all we had to do was ASK and they would sell us beer. They briefly put up a sign stating  that there would be no sales at certain times of the day or on Buddhist holidays. There has been no recurrence of this incident. Apparently, law enforcement found it too difficult to monitor markets inside condos and decided to let it ride.  The Mini Mart owner was furious that cops were trying to  enforce the alcohol laws in private condominium buildings.

Thai authorities are completely uninterested in the comments of non-Thai people as concerns alcohol sales. They get really angry at attempts by farangs to influence the laws on this matter. The more input from the farang expat population, the more stringesnt the laws are likely to get. Best to shut up and tolerate the situation because complaining is likely to make the blowback much worse. They DO NOT care what you think if you are not a Thai citizen.

On 8/26/2025 at 2:35 PM, connda said:

I can drink any day I want, any time I want in the village.  There's village life for you.  

 

And a big hand for the great Mar & Par shops of Thailand.

 

On 8/26/2025 at 10:34 AM, dinsdale said:

But can you purchase it?

buy it on the beach!!!

Wanting to attract tourists with booze or (previously) open sales of drugs ?...is that a smart step to attract decent people who will spend? not really.