Thai Election Forces 2-weekend Booze Ban

[Mobi]

There seems to be some criticism of how the Thais are unable to remain sober for the election and have to have this order imposed on them.

It seems from some posts that some expats are unable to manage a few days without drink as well as those they criticise.

I doubt whether this will have much impact on tourists other than those on 'boozy' trips who are hel_l bent on getting pissed at every given opportunity.

A few days sobriety wont do anyone much harm!

I think the point is that the ruling is pointless. The Thais will just buy a couple of bottles of Lao Khaow or Sangthip and get drunk anyway. So the aim has not been acheived.

The only people that are inconvenienced are the tourists / Farangs that live here who go out to bars and they can just buy booze to drink at home too anyway.

The only people then that really suffer are the bar owners who's income is affected.

Correct. My experience is if you get out of the major urban conurbations, the rules on the sale of alcohol are pretty much non existent. You can always buy booze 24/7, and the ban on drinking on election days etc. in the rural areas throughout the country is totally ignored.

It really does make a mockery of these ham fisted attempts to "keep Thailand Sober"

But they couldn't give a toss. A few mean minded Thais, with far too much power, are taking great delight in watching all the farangs squeal. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't actually bring in these rules to piss us off.

[Prakanong]

"But they couldn't give a toss. A few mean minded Thais, with far too much power, are taking great delight in watching all the farangs squeal. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't actually bring in these rules to piss us off"

You really hink so?

I would wager farangs and the bar's do not even appear as a speck on the radar of the people issuing these ordances.

[Loquito]

We all like free will and choices but there are times when one's choices are limited, for whatever reasons, so just make do like the rest of us. And if one NEEDS alcohol to be able to socialise then one should take a closer look at one's self rather than the ban.

sighhh another poster who is offering psychological advice... nothing to do with the MAJOR point of this thread but what the hay with advice like that how could I not take a closer look at myself. loquito tens of thousands of people come to Thailand because they are UNABLE to socialise in there own country, they are to ugly, shy , fat, old etc etc etc or just don't have a clue about current affairs like your self. Alcohol has its place and many unwind after a long hard week of actually work. "there are times when one's choices are limited, for whatever reasons, so just make do like the rest of us" wrong loquito the rest of us are here questioning our rights. stick your head in the sand if you want but dont do it here please

The rest of us, as in the Thais. Why should there be exceptions just for expats or tourists? I lived in England for 12 years and and never once did they open a pub past the closing time of 11 pm because me, an expat, wanted to drink past 11 pm.

The MAJOR point of this thread is alcohol won't be served on those days. Tough. Live with it!

[Mobi]

So what possible benefits will this ban bring?

It won't stop people drinking because they'll just buy it beforehand.

It won't stop people driving - it may actually cause them to drive more by going out on picnics instead of to pubs.

It won't stop people holding vote buying parties with alcohol because they will just be held on private property instead of in bars/clubs.

It won't stop people drinking while driving to their home towns to vote.

So what might the ban achieve?

It will affect a lot of small businesses negatively and may put Thais out of work.

It will annoy a lot of tourists.

It may increase the number of drunken drivers/riders on the roads.

More people will drink at home instead of going out.

So, why are they doing it again? (I must be missing something...)

1. To piss is all off.

2. To avoid having to pay the police force a Christmas bonus

3. To make merit for the next life.

4. Because they can, and we can do nothing about it.

5. To increase their dividends in their shares in Tesco, Carrefour and Big C, following the huge sales of alcohol immediately prior to the bans.

(not necessarily in that order.)

Anyone have any more reasons that I am unaware of?

[Mobi]

"But they couldn't give a toss. A few mean minded Thais, with far too much power, are taking great delight in watching all the farangs squeal. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't actually bring in these rules to piss us off"

You really think so?

I would wager farangs and the bar's do not even appear as a speck on the radar of the people issuing these ordances.

Actually I do. They may be stupid but they are not that stupid.

They know full well that rules like this effect farangs probably far more than the average Thai, and up country not at all. The same applied when they brought in the new closing hours a few years ago on the pretext of keeping under-age Thai drinkers off the streets. Well we all know that the under age Thai drinkers have absolutely no problem in drinking all night in Rachada and other such places , and it was mainly the farng tourist spots that were caught up in the new operating hours.

They do know - but they don't care.

IMHO

[Robski]

If this is what democratic elections do for the country, I say bring back the tanks and mix me a margerita!

It's disgraceful

[Prakanong]

If this is what democratic elections do for the country, I say bring back the tanks and mix me a margerita!

It's disgraceful

Its the military who has issued the edict to close the bar's!

[JiveTalker]

Reading through this thread, I found myself thinking back and thinking forward.

Thinking back, it caused me to remember my grandmother enjoining us not to 'enslave ourselves to the Demon Drink'.

She wasn't TT and didn't extol us to be TT; just to see booze as 'a good servant, but a bad master'.

She wouldn't have thought much of us if we had got all hot under the collar about not being able to buy a drink for a couple of weekends.

Thinking forward, though, this thread gives untold ammunition to those middle-class Thais who would like to see 'undesirable' farangs kept out of their country.

A few years ago they seemed prepared to cede Pattaya, Patong and Koh Samui to their Thai brethren who could make a living from providing services to farang tourists and farang de-facto residents on back-to-back tourist visas.

But so many of the latter are now spilling out of Pattaya, Patong and Koh Samui and appearing in the provincial cities that their minds are changing.

The posters on this thread who are whingeing about these small disasdvantages to bar businesses caused by something as important as a General Election are exhibiting exactly the sort of behaviour that tends to cause the thought: "I'll vote for the party that'll promise to kick these farangs out.".

And once it is realised that that thought is around, such a line will soon start appearing in some parties' programmmes.

To have all these farangs condemning themselves by their own typings in an archived source like this thread is just the sort of ammunition that will help the 'anti-farangs'.

I don't really know where to start with this utter tripe, so I've decided not to bother.

[Robski]

If this is what democratic elections do for the country, I say bring back the tanks and mix me a margerita!

It's disgraceful

Its the military who has issued the edict to close the bar's!

Yes but if we didn't have elections, we could have a drink when we want.

It just shows that a military junta would ensure our basic drinking rights.

Dictatorship = Bars open.

Democracy = Bars closed.

The choice for us all should be obvious.

Edited December 13, 2007 by Robski

[marshall]

There seems to be some criticism of how the Thais are unable to remain sober for the election and have to have this order imposed on them.

It seems from some posts that some expats are unable to manage a few days without drink as well as those they criticise.

I doubt whether this will have much impact on tourists other than those on 'boozy' trips who are hel_l bent on getting pissed at every given opportunity.

A few days sobriety wont do anyone much harm

HEY GUYS THERES ALWAYS THE A.A MEETING AT McCORMACK. ITS NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM:

[Prakanong]

If this is what democratic elections do for the country, I say bring back the tanks and mix me a margerita!

It's disgraceful

Its the military who has issued the edict to close the bar's!

Yes but if we didn't have elections, we could have a drink when we want.

It just shows that a military junta would ensure our basic drinking rights.

Dictatorship = Bars open.

Democracy = Bars closed.

The choice for us all should be obvious.

Hmm - thats why we have 24 hour drinking in Singapore then!

[Robski]

I think you see the point I'm making now...

[NALAK]

We all like free will and choices but there are times when one's choices are limited, for whatever reasons, so just make do like the rest of us. And if one NEEDS alcohol to be able to socialise then one should take a closer look at one's self rather than the ban.

sighhh another poster who is offering psychological advice... nothing to do with the MAJOR point of this thread but what the hay with advice like that how could I not take a closer look at myself. loquito tens of thousands of people come to Thailand because they are UNABLE to socialise in there own country, they are to ugly, shy , fat, old etc etc etc or just don't have a clue about current affairs like your self. Alcohol has its place and many unwind after a long hard week of actually work. "there are times when one's choices are limited, for whatever reasons, so just make do like the rest of us" wrong loquito the rest of us are here questioning our rights. stick your head in the sand if you want but dont do it here please

The rest of us, as in the Thais. Why should there be exceptions just for expats or tourists? I lived in England for 12 years and and never once did they open a pub past the closing time of 11 pm because me, an expat, wanted to drink past 11 pm.

The MAJOR point of this thread is alcohol won't be served on those days. Tough. Live with it!

i would bet you anything you like lots of alchohol will be served on these days mainly to Thais and expats. i for a fact will have no problem BUYING alchol. had you gone to tourist areas in your 12 years you would have been able to drink after 11 no problem. still England is a democracy, it would do this country the world of good if no tourist came here for 1 year. Taken for granted for far to long.it must make you proud to think you can not have a general election without stopping adults drinking. makes the country a laughing stock of the world. My Thai fiends who have bars will loose thousands this month because of this.

still as i say i will be having a beer tomorrow night with all my mates who now have a couple of nights extra holiday. CHEERS

[MiG16]

there goes my farewell party

I have to break the news to a group of thirsty gals

[NALAK]

get the girls number find out where there room is, get some mates and a lots of beer and breezers, then you will realise drinking bans are the best nights of all.

[powwow]

What is the problem?

The alcohol ban is only for 2 weekends and this being Thailand I am sure there will be some establishments willing to bend the rules and serve drinks.

We are not citizens of Thailand, so no point in groaning about who makes the rules and imposes this and that. We know the way things work here before choosing to come here.

There is always the option of drifting back to your own countries. There Farangs or anyone else can get as pissed and as merry as they wish anytime, anyplace.

[seri thai]

The ban or proposed ban this weekend seems a very late afterthought as there are some major events scheduled this weekend. Think LOSO at Xcyte in Pattaya ?

This lunacy has got to stop. Close a couple of days in August and we'll swallow it. Close 5 or 6 days in December and you're screwing with people's lives.

Close 5 or 6 days in December and you're screwing with people's lives.

Isn't that what this election is for? -Ooh a touch of satire there, (as Ben Elton used to say)

Has a survey been conducted to assess what effect drunkeness would have on the election result? I'd be fascinated to know. Do CND believe PPP voters are more likely to be intoxicated? If so is there a chance they'd mark the incorrect box and the democrats would get in?

I'd have thought the guardians of all that is tasteful, sharply creased and preternaturally wealthy would rather they fell asleep in the gutter on the way to the polls. I'd have to be comatose before someone put my hand in Samaks box. If you know what I mean...

I apolgise for the overuse of the little yellow men in this article ,

oops more satire.......

[besth]

Being in the group of the "it does not make any difference to me" (got plenty stocked), I still do not understand the reason for the ban, nor that it seems to have made so many people upset, some even to the point of deciding to post here for the first time.

I do understand the comments of those directly affected, bar/restaurant owners, that it will hurt them, but if the survival of their business really depends all that much on these two high season weekends, it probably means that they are hanging there by the skin of their teeth and it may be a blessing that they fall sooner than later and are able/forced to start again somewhere else (not necessarily another country).

[kinyara]

It's all right for you lot.............................I'm not allowed to booze for the next TWO YEARS

Lampard 10, it's not your fault England didn't qualify so get back on the champers in a couple of weeks, we don't hold it against you. Alternatively, all the big hotels "read the tourists we really want" ( except the 7-11 Russians who we spend a fortune chasing) will be selling it on election days if you reallly want to get on it.

Me, I'm off to Cambodia for xmas for a reality check, it helps put things in perspective.

[jchen]

There will be thousands of tourists who have paid big money to come to Thailand over this period.

The ban on alcohol for two weekends will inconvenience the plans of many of these tourists.

It really is a case of over kill with these bans.

I am glad i am not in Thailand on holidays over this period for while a day or two here and there through out the year is not a real inconvenience to ban alcohol over two of the busiest weekends in high tourist season is a major dispappointment for most people who enjoy the night life of thailand.

1. In general, most Thais could give a flying fork about what inconveniences farangs. They see the numbers of tourists going up and up every year, this fact alone means that Thailand MUST be better than where the farangs came from, so the tourists can live with whatever goofiness the Thais can manufacture.

2. Also, in general, Thais suffer from 'Ghengis Khan' disease (they are missing 1 key enzyme in their stomach lining) and can't very well deal with alcohol or alcohol addiction. Shutting off the tap on election days is a must. (A Beer Chang for your vote Khun Daeng?)

3. If a Thai wants a beer or anything else at any time, 24 hours a day, he/she knows where to get it. The entire no alcohol thing is ludicrous, and as always, it's just a pander to the gander in Thailand. Smoke.

[TEFLMike]

Back in the UK for Christmas, and may I add, I am missing the hot weather, I willnot be aroundwhen the ban of alchohol is enforced on the aforementioned dates.

My heart goes out to you drinkers.

I wonder what those on the way to Thailand for a holiday over Christmas will think on their arrival?

Obviously, travel agents will not be advising them. Maybe the travel agents are unaware?

A very Happy Christmas to one and all.

Mike

[jEFFREYk44]

I think much of the anxiety is that the ban for this weekend was kept a secret until yesterday in a few cases, and maybe a secret until tomorrow in other cases when they are raided by police. I would doubt that "ignorance of the law" would hold water. <shrug>

It has been in the media for well over a week now.

There goes Chloe being smart and pretty again

[jEFFREYk44]

The ban or proposed ban this weekend seems a very late afterthought as there are some major events scheduled this weekend. Think LOSO at Xcyte in Pattaya ?

This lunacy has got to stop. Close a couple of days in August and we'll swallow it. Close 5 or 6 days in December and you're screwing with people's lives.

Close 5 or 6 days in December and you're screwing with people's lives.

Isn't that what this election is for? -Ooh a touch of satire there, (as Ben Elton used to say)

Has a survey been conducted to assess what effect drunkeness would have on the election result? I'd be fascinated to know. Do CND believe PPP voters are more likely to be intoxicated? If so is there a chance they'd mark the incorrect box and the democrats would get in?

I'd have thought the guardians of all that is tasteful, sharply creased and preternaturally wealthy would rather they fell asleep in the gutter on the way to the polls. I'd have to be comatose before someone put my hand in Samaks box. If you know what I mean...

I apolgise for the overuse of the little yellow men in this article ,

oops more satire.......

You cannot be British because I thought they had good satire

[Bagwan]

We are in Patong during both weekends for holiday, to have fun and we were ready to leave our Euro's in Thailand by having good times. We do NOT have to vote for these [admin edit] so I can't get it why we (tourists) have to suffer too ?

What a brilliant idea again !!! Specially during peak season.

Laws must also be followed by tourists!

Absolutely correct. It's the crass stupidity of the law that is being brought into question.

[Robski]

Yes I agree absolutely, it's stupidity by them to have these darn elections, just when we're trying to enjoy ourselves.

So inconsiderate.

[Tolley]

There will be thousands of tourists who have paid big money to come to Thailand over this period.

The ban on alcohol for two weekends will inconvenience the plans of many of these tourists.

It really is a case of over kill with these bans.

I am glad i am not in Thailand on holidays over this period for while a day or two here and there through out the year is not a real inconvenience to ban alcohol over two of the busiest weekends in high tourist season is a major dispappointment for most people who enjoy the night life of thailand.

1. In general, most Thais could give a flying fork about what inconveniences farangs. They see the numbers of tourists going up and up every year, this fact alone means that Thailand MUST be better than where the farangs came from, so the tourists can live with whatever goofiness the Thais can manufacture.

2. Also, in general, Thais suffer from 'Ghengis Khan' disease (they are missing 1 key enzyme in their stomach lining) and can't very well deal with alcohol or alcohol addiction. Shutting off the tap on election days is a must. (A Beer Chang for your vote Khun Daeng?)

3. If a Thai wants a beer or anything else at any time, 24 hours a day, he/she knows where to get it. The entire no alcohol thing is ludicrous, and as always, it's just a pander to the gander in Thailand. Smoke.

I think the main point is that the powers that be dont care or are not worried about the impact this will have on tourists or tourism.

Thais employed in the tourist industry would be concerned as they directly earn their living off tourism and of course will be negatively affected.

A one day ban for the election would have been considered by most people as fair enough but this goes beyond the pale of sensibility and of course as many have mentioned it will not affect the drinking habits of your average Thai as they will still be able to get a drink.

Also spare a thought for the businesses who will lose a significant amount of revenue with these useless bans.

And for those posters going bad luck TIT, stop moaning, go home if you don't like it, stop and think of the way this law negatively affects other people and it does affect many and then think what the benefits of these bans are.

I think you will find a lot of negatives and no real positives.

[keekwai]

Handy Tip Of The Day

If you hardened whore mongering boozers are really hanging out for a tipple and haven't stocked up .. just go to any small "corner shop", especially Chinese owned that sells booze and they'll sell it to you any time of the day or night regardless of restrictions. That includes the usual daily restriction times also.

I don't know if it's because they just can't knock back a sale .. or they couldn't be bothered with the hassle of trying to explain things to a Farang ... probably both.

[Prakanong]

I think you see the point I'm making now...

Thats it - I am off to North Korea

I reckon the Iraqi insurgency is down to the same thing - under Saddam you could drink but under Shi'ite mullaha's you can not - no wonder the Sunni's are up in arms (literally)

[keekwai]

Everyone stock up your room with some Beer & booze just in case for the next two weeks. Always have a back up bottle!!!

I had the same advice from an old alcoholic homeless bum years ago. He also told me to never drink red wine as it'll "kill ya"

[Scott]

Where I came from the bars are always closed and the sale of alcohol is banned on election day, but only from the time the polls open until they close (around 7:00 p.m.). I used to think that was a hardship!