New Bar Laws..

[skoobzgh]

In affect, this will ultimately turn out to be just another way for the police to bribe bars into getting more money. No rules are followed by bars and restaurants for the most part. It's just another scam to up the stakes on the tea money schemes. I wouldn't be surprised if the police that visited these bars had the posters and adverts printed out themselves. Maybe thats why they only went to 6 places. They didn't want to spend the money on too many posters and/or didn't want too much evidence of their scheme out in public. They know that word of mouth travels very fast. Especially in the restaurant industry in places like that.

[bkkjames]

Strongly disagree with your stand about banning alcohol or restricting it. Operational problems of enforcement have nothing to do with this, that's a different subject all together.

First thing, I really like you're idea about the 'drinking licence/id'. That has great potential & its also way for governments to raise more revenue & create jobs, they would love this.

Operational problems of enforcement have alot to do with this. Theres absolutely NO POINT making laws that cant be enforced. I have been involved in this process & one of the things that is looked at when making laws is the practicality of enforcement and regulation.

This is a huge problem around the world and what you are failing to recognise is that already innocent people are being affected by the way alcohol and laws surrounding alcohol fail to control it. Theres more to this problem that a few dopes missing out on their daily fix.

Good argument ND, however if we are going to start down that route, let's ban cars because people don't run over people, cars do.

[FarangBuddha]

The Thais really think people actually do come to their country for the temples and the "culture" and not to get piss-faced and laid...these silly rules just seem to confirm this

[wayfarer108]

The no alcohol sales until 5pm.. I didnt think that was a current law for bars.

It is.

[Chunky1]

I like this law. It might chase some of the farang dregs out of the country.

[bkkjames]

I like this law. It might chase some of the farang dregs out of the country.

hmm - good logic there. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Drunk-Driver...le-t367748.html

[cpofc]

Go to any of my local restaurants in the Shopping Malls, MK etc. They will not serve booze, even with a meal, between 2PM & 5PM

If you want to drink with your meal go to the Noodle Stall in the Soi. I cant buy grog at my local 7 (not petrol station either) after midnight. That only changed not too long ago.

There is a fairly Pro Active Temperence push in Thailand too, who almost succeeded in convincing Taksin to get tougher on alcohol. I doubt they have gone away.

Somehow I think if you live outside of the tourist areas you are going to experience some more changes to Thai Liquor Laws.

This will be all part of the master plan for a 'New Society', the Government being Pro Active in caring for the Thai people and Thai (Family) Values. It will be part of 'The Package'.

[ukrules]

Do you think people should be allowed to drink in moderation in a bar during the hours of 2 and 5 in the afternoon?

I think people should be able to drink whatever they want and whenever they want it.

[ukrules]

If the statistics support the under 25 group, then sobeit. I'm not sure you will be able to sell the jail terms for the young people of society tho.

That will only work if the voting age is raised to 25

[warfie]

Stupid and short-sighted. Will not achieve anything.

The current laws are sufficient to curtail the problems this new law is supposed to address (underage drinking, drink driving, etc.).

Even the current laws are stupid and do nothing to address the actual problems. (Oh, I can't buy alcohol from 14:00 ~ 17:00? ok then I'll buy a case of Chang before 14:00).

I won't share it with minors nor drive a car after I've been drinking and I'm not at all violent after I've had a skinfull, the most antisocial I become is getting sleepy.

The real problem is that the law is only enforced as the BiB "feel like it".

So many and varied problems in this society would be solved if we had a properly functioning police force.

[Chaimai]

What i find most amusing is that everything the Thais do, there is an abundance of falangs who reckon they do it just to piss THEM off. None of these Laws are about Thais, according to many of you. it is all designed to wreak havoc on tourists and expats.

Not sure what it is now, but a few years ago, Thais were the 5th biggest drinkers of alcohol on the planet. A somewhat outstanding feat for a race of people (Asian) who naturally, biologically and supposedly are intolerant to alcohol. Even Taksin recognised this when he was PM and slapped on the current ban of no alcohol sales between 1400-1700 Daily. he also had alot of other seemingly draconian plans for controlling alcohol sales and service but they were voted down. Just prior to XMAS? About 5 or 6 years ago. I forget now. The Thais not only have a national alcohol problem with their adults. They have a huge underage drinking problem also.

40, 30 even 20 years ago, you never saw Thais drinking like they do today, as a matter of a fact you hardly saw it at all. The product of a more affluent society perhaps?

So, it is no secret that Thai Society has an alcohol problem. I live and socialise, daily, exclusivley with thais, I am a 'one out' farang. And believe me we get stuck into the piss, often, alot more than I would in my own Australian Society. (Darwin Excluded hehehe).

So, if they do bring in new rules and regs, don't be so dimwitted and narrow minded to believe it is all about YOU. It's not.

Agree entirely.

However, it is likely that the tourists will be amongst those that are affected by bars adhering to the law.

The 17 year old Thai (who has developed his drinking habit since the age of 15) will still be able to buy his lao khao from the village shop.

As noted by an earlier poster, prohibition rarely works it just pushes drinking underground. Laws such as no drinking (in public venues) around election days do not work - the Thais just get p!ssed in the village and the Falang in Pattaya drink their Chang out of coffee cups.

Education about responsible drinking is, in my view, the best way forward.

[Chunky1]

Have you guys ever considered purchasing alcohol and consuming it your home before 5pm?

However, more than likely, bar owners will just have to pay money to the police to break the laws. This is good. It's called a sin tax. Keep taxing the bar owners who pass the cost onto the guys who get the shakes by noon and keep taxing the cigarette smokers and lottery day dreamers... AND don't pass property tax laws or create an efficient IRS gov agency.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Have you guys ever considered purchasing alcohol and consuming it your home before 5pm?

Don't be silly, what's the point in that? The issue is that during daytime it's light, and girls in bars are ugly, which is even more apparent during daytime, and exceptionally apparent while sober. So drinking is crucial. Drinking at home?? What on earth for?

[Bottlerocket]

No offense to the OP or his friend, but this is hearsay and no one should get too upset about it until someone can get an official copy of these "changes to" and "enforcement of" the laws in question, complete with government seals. Surely, there is a place where members of the restaurant business community can get a copy so as to be better informed and to comply with the good and right laws of the Kingdom? It would be even nicer if one of these enterprising restaurateurs would scan and post on TV for all to read and be informed. Who'll step up?

[Mosha]

The only people who will be affected are tourists. The resident expats know where to get their booze as much as the Thais do. Another nail in the tourist coffin.

[twofortheroad]

The only people who will be affected are tourists. The resident expats know where to get their booze as much as the Thais do. Another nail in the tourist coffin.

As I said before, technically bars/restaurants haven't been allowed to sell booze from 2-5pm for the last year or more. If that law wasn't  enforced, why do you think this law will?

[Jimi007]

Stupid and short-sighted. Will not achieve anything.

The current laws are sufficient to curtail the problems this new law is supposed to address (underage drinking, drink driving, etc.).

Even the current laws are stupid and do nothing to address the actual problems. (Oh, I can't buy alcohol from 14:00 ~ 17:00? ok then I'll buy a case of Chang before 14:00).

I won't share it with minors nor drive a car after I've been drinking and I'm not at all violent after I've had a skinfull, the most antisocial I become is getting sleepy.

The real problem is that the law is only enforced as the BiB "feel like it".

So many and varied problems in this society would be solved if we had a properly functioning police force.

Very true! But, I don't think that will be happening anytime soon...

Have you guys ever considered purchasing alcohol and consuming it your home before 5pm?

Don't be silly, what's the point in that? The issue is that during daytime it's light, and girls in bars are ugly, which is even more apparent during daytime, and exceptionally apparent while sober. So drinking is crucial. Drinking at home?? What on earth for?

So you don't have to look at the losers in the bars... Sorry, you left the door open! I had to jump in it, or on it... LOL

The only people who will be affected are tourists. The resident expats know where to get their booze as much as the Thais do. Another nail in the tourist coffin.

So what? Unless you own a bar, who cares? I don't make any money from tourists. I just have to watch out for their dangerous drunk driving!

Hmm, sorry! But my cynical side was unleashed, yet again!

Edited May 25, 2010 by Jimi007

[PST]

The stupidest 'new law' seems to me to be the one regarding branded POS being banned in bars?,drive round anywhere,and spot the amount of beer/spirit adverts in bars/restaraunts.

Does this then mean the new Johnnie walker Red bar/club in Bangkok will have to close?,don't think so somehow.

PST.

[neverdie]

Strongly disagree with your stand about banning alcohol or restricting it. Operational problems of enforcement have nothing to do with this, that's a different subject all together.

First thing, I really like you're idea about the 'drinking licence/id'. That has great potential & its also way for governments to raise more revenue & create jobs, they would love this.

Operational problems of enforcement have alot to do with this. Theres absolutely NO POINT making laws that cant be enforced. I have been involved in this process & one of the things that is looked at when making laws is the practicality of enforcement and regulation.

This is a huge problem around the world and what you are failing to recognise is that already innocent people are being affected by the way alcohol and laws surrounding alcohol fail to control it. Theres more to this problem that a few dopes missing out on their daily fix.

Good argument ND, however if we are going to start down that route, let's ban cars because people don't run over people, cars do.

Rubbish. Cars rarely kill people, its normally the idiot drivers. Loose nut behind the wheel

[tigerfish]

Strongly disagree with your stand about banning alcohol or restricting it. Operational problems of enforcement have nothing to do with this, that's a different subject all together.

First thing, I really like you're idea about the 'drinking licence/id'. That has great potential & its also way for governments to raise more revenue & create jobs, they would love this.

Operational problems of enforcement have alot to do with this. Theres absolutely NO POINT making laws that cant be enforced. I have been involved in this process & one of the things that is looked at when making laws is the practicality of enforcement and regulation.

This is a huge problem around the world and what you are failing to recognise is that already innocent people are being affected by the way alcohol and laws surrounding alcohol fail to control it. Theres more to this problem that a few dopes missing out on their daily fix.

Good argument ND, however if we are going to start down that route, let's ban cars because people don't run over people, cars do.

Rubbish. Cars rarely kill people, its normally the idiot drivers. Loose nut behind the wheel

yeah but, how many are under the influence and how many arent?

[Livinginexile]

I quit alcoholic beverages a year ago , did like a drink when I wanted one though , at this time it is all san-fairy-anne to me , should this actualy come into a fact , watch tourism drop even more and 'Customer service ' will surely take a hard hit .

Could this just be some sort of covoluted effort to impress on the Falang population 'We do not like or need you here in our pristine culture country that you are all destroying '.

It won't effect tourism in the slightest.

It will effect bar owners though. I hope this law is implemented throughout the Kingdom.

[alstaxi]

Sounds like another law that will be enforced for a few days and then ignored, similar to the no smoking in bars and restaurants what a joke that law is, with more tea money for the bib, ho hum.

[smokie36]

the no smoking in bars and restaurants what a joke that law is

Kindly list all the air con bars in Bangkok which flout this law. I thought most of 'em were no smoking now except for two on Sukhumvit...

[witold]

"This rule will decimate the bar trade, just look at England"

Is this true for England or are you being melodramatic? No smoking rules have been implemented in several cities in the US, and they had ZERO effect on bars. People actually say that it had a positive effect because the nonsmoking majority is coming out more often and feel better. Smokers just go outside for a few minutes to smoke and come back in and generally don't seem too bothered by the no smoking rule.

[smokie36]

"This rule will decimate the bar trade, just look at England"

Is this true for England or are you being melodramatic? No smoking rules have been implemented in several cities in the US, and they had ZERO effect on bars. People actually say that it had a positive effect because the nonsmoking majority is coming out more often and feel better. Smokers just go outside for a few minutes to smoke and come back in and generally don't seem too bothered by the no smoking rule.

Its definitely changed things in the UK with more families using pubs and food sales are now more important. Old style men's boozers are closing daily and not being replaced as people stay at home but I reckon thats a cost issue with a pint at £3.50 who can blame them?

Smoking is a side issue now and to be honest as a smoker I think its better to have no smoking inside a bar but still some accomodation should be made outside.

[mogoso]

Sounds like responsible service of alcohol to me.

Of course, everyone recognises what an aweful substance alcohol is and it playing part in a large amount of assualts, domestic abuse, motor vehicle collisions and so forth.

It's a pity these new laws don't go far enough to ensure safety for all the worlds occupants & of course, irregardless of what the laws are its unlikely they will be enforced fairly.

Can you mean that a nanny state is the way to live? Pretty boring lifestyle. I don't frequent bars anymore, but if I want the occasional drink with a meal and can't get it out and about, why that leaves me to eat at home and only travel to the fridge and grab one out.

[TAWP]

I'm so tired of people that glorifies the benefit of a nanny state. In many cases it is only about others that they want controlled. God forbid one would touch their vices...as they fail to realize that not everything they like or do is safe once the government really starts to go into full gear with social reshaping according to some arbitrary moral code...

[Utterlyuseful]

maybe an unexpected side benefit could be more people drinking at home and less drunk drivers.....save the children!

[Lammbock]

You can get Hammert at Nana any time you want!

[ukrules]

"This rule will decimate the bar trade, just look at England"

Is this true for England or are you being melodramatic? No smoking rules have been implemented in several cities in the US, and they had ZERO effect on bars. People actually say that it had a positive effect because the nonsmoking majority is coming out more often and feel better. Smokers just go outside for a few minutes to smoke and come back in and generally don't seem too bothered by the no smoking rule.

It's very true there are many bars closing every week. Since the smoking ban was introduced the crowds in the bars have been reducing all the time.