Are the bars closed in Chiang Mai this weekend or is it just a Bangkok thing

I was at a bar/restaurant last night in Chiang Mai...They will be closed 14,15 16 Dec and then next weekend 22 and 23 Dec. They showed me the government letter ordering the closings...so I would guess it applies to all CM Bars.

20k fine for anyone selling, even 5 star hotels - not sure if thats per customer or what. (a ring around shows there are some exceptions, but best of luck finding them).

yup bars have been given notices last evening. 3 days shut this weekend. stock up at your local grocery stores.

Why are the bars having to close?

Why are the bars having to close?

Early voting for next weekend's general election. They'll have to close sometime next weekend as well (I'm unsure whether that would be Saturday or Sunday).

From what I've heard, they will have to stay closed from Friday 18:00 until Sunday 24:00, both weekends

Priceless

From what I've heard, they will have to stay closed from Friday 18:00 until Sunday 24:00, both weekends

Priceless

thats correct , one guy told me he is ordering 20 bottles at 17.59 hrs !

I imagine the temporary ban also applies to supermarkets, 7-Eleven, etc.

John's Place/Cozy Corner - inside and outside - are closed even though they have their own restauraunt to avoid having to close and his brother is an important policeman.

Seems to me that the Government must be pretty serious!

I imagine the temporary ban also applies to supermarkets, 7-Eleven, etc.

Yep. Was at Tops this afternoon and all the counters had notices posting no sells during that period. They were already removing all the beer and alcohol from the coolers. They were also announcing it on the loud speakers around 3:30.

Reminds me of how I once watched a report about the evils of french fries and what the hot oil does to some molecule in the potatoes making them carcinogenic. By the time I'd watched the 3 minute news report on all the different lovely golden fries coming out of the hot oil, thinking how I wasn't supposed to eat them, I found myself craving them more than ever. I can easily go a few days or even weeks without a drink...but all this talk of the weekend clampdown is making me thirsty.

Reminds me of how I once watched a report about the evils of french fries and what the hot oil does to some molecule in the potatoes making them carcinogenic. By the time I'd watched the 3 minute news report on all the different lovely golden fries coming out of the hot oil, thinking how I wasn't supposed to eat them, I found myself craving them more than ever. I can easily go a few days or even weeks without a drink...but all this talk of the weekend clampdown is making me thirsty.

I just got back from my 90 visa run to Mae Sai and after 14 hours of traveling and freezing A/C temperatures on the VIP bus was really looking forward to a deep fried tubtim and a big beer. 7-11 and other shops all not selling. Panic city. Did hit my local mom and pop store and no problem buying beer. They were doing a bustling business serving up whiskey shots to the locals also.

Cherry Mart, at (Chiang Kien ) right next to the Lanna Muay Thai Boxing/Training Center

Business as U, no prob hiring beer, Sangsom. Many more items in stock. FYI.

Palaad Tawanron up on Doi Suthep served alcohol last night, as did many other restaurants on Suthep road.

am sure a lot of people got their dose of alcohol last night for once living within Muang has its disadvantages.

The night bazaar back soi (Peak) was a ghost town last night.

Many of the small local Thai shops have loads of alcohol and are doing great business. They would much rather sell it to foreigners.....who are not likely to be the feds.

This ban s#@%....especially to foreigners who aren't involved in the election at all. Btw, can I still stock up my supply from Tesco, carrefour, etc?

Btw, can I still stock up my supply from Tesco, carrefour, etc?

No. Their shelves of alcohol-based products are basically roped off.

Many of you will undoubtedly suffer the pains of detox which can be quite serious, even fatal. Seizures happen quite frequently and the DT's can be quite alarming. Best go to a local hospital for tranxene or tranquilizing seizure-preventing alternative. Good luck my drinking friends! This is a very difficult weekend indeed for many, many farang here in Thailand.

yes a sad time for all i hope we all recover from this .

John's Place/Cozy Corner - inside and outside - are closed even though they have their own restauraunt to avoid having to close and his brother is an important policeman. was

Seems to me that the Government must be pretty serious!

Many of you will undoubtedly suffer the pains of detox which can be quite serious, even fatal. Seizures happen quite frequently and the DT's can be quite alarming. Best go to a local hospital for tranxene or tranquilizing seizure-preventing alternative. Good luck my drinking friends! This is a very difficult weekend indeed for many, many farang here in Thailand.

I fear that it might be necessary, to go out into the back-garden, to dig up the emergency-(in case of global thermonuclear war)-supply.

On the other hand, my mate who works in Saudi flies in today for Christmas - boy is he ever going to feel at home here !

My buddy claims that all the small restaurants on the soi by Veerachai court are selling suds in tea cups. However, none of the places near Thapae Gate would serve him last night.

Almost all of Loh Kroi is dead, the tourists are wandering up and down it like something off Land of the Dead not knowing where to go!

Cowboy bar (near Tuskers) is serving liquor on the quiet, the lights are down low but the booze still flows.

Cowboys maverick mentality is 'I'm fcking closed so they can fck off about any stupid drinking laws!'

Just before I left a bunch of coppers came in!

There leader glowered at me for a while (I had a glass of Sangsom with coke in it) probaby wondering if it was liquor or not. Then he ordered a bottle of 100 pipers for him and his buddies

Lot of them bars and rest. serving lot of 'TEA' last night in bkk I saw!!! TEA with soda

The best Mexican resteraunt in South East Asia is not serving beer, but Margaritas are no problemo!

I happily quaffed a couple of bottles of Leo in front of the local shop with my neighbor last night.

Are the bars closed in Chiang Mai this weekend or is it just a Bangkok thing

This weekend (22-23) should be not as bad in some ways. Friday will be okay cos election is Sunday. I imagine that Saturday night will be no go, but Sunday evening, once the polls are over should be okay. Officially it is until midnight Sunday, but generally 6pm Sunday is okay, especially for restaurants. However, this year is a bit different so Sunday night may be enforced in the more high-profile areas. Back-soi and out of the way places will probably be selling Sunday evening. High profile Thai restaurants & bars will probably be closed Saturday and Sunday.