Govt Ban Alcohol To Curb New Year Cheer

[george]

Govt moves to curb New Year cheer

Restricted alcohol sales at food shops and restaurants

between 11am and 2pm, and 5pm to midnight, between December 29 and January 4.

BANGKOK: If you want to drink the year away, plan well. An unprecedented clampdown on liquor sales during the New Year is looming, and revellers had better stockpile booze and check the new alcohol sale times to prepare for parties, police advised yesterday.

The government says it wants to reduce accidents over the festive period. Last year 562 people were killed and about 32,000 injured, mainly on the country's roads.

The sale of alcohol will be restricted at most food shops and restaurants - from 11am to 2pm, and 5pm to midnight, between December 29 and January 4.

"Entertainment venues" will be exempt from the clampdown, police said.

Shop or restaurant owners caught violating the rules face up to two years in prison or a Bt4,000 fine, police said.

Convenience stores, notorious for breaching liquor bans, will be closely watched.

"If people want longer hours of fun, they can either go to entertainment places, which will open until 2am or they can simply celebrate at home and drink as much as they want," Thong Lor police station chief Col Somchai Into said.

Police have been told to invoke a 1972 law introduced by coup-makers to enforce the liquor sale rules, he said.

"We received instructions from the national police commission to launch strict surveillance of alcohol sales during the New Year period," Lat Phrao police station chief Col Somporn Tumsawat said.

People found drinking in public places, such as in parks or by the road, between 1am to 5pm will be dispersed and told to go home, said Somporn. Those who resist could be charged with creating a public disturbance.

"It's not that the government wants to be a kill-joy," said Somchai. "We just want to make sure alcohol is not sold in a chaotic way. Drunk people should stay at home, and not drive around looking to buy more booze."

Convenience store owners said the measures were easier said than done, particularly over the New Year.

"People celebrate all day and all night long," said one shop owner in Bang Na, who requested anonymity. "You just can't tell them when to start and when to stop. How many policemen do we need to enforce these rules?"

--The Nation 2003-12-17

[Axel]

Sounds like an April-fools-day to me. But my calendar says it's December.

between 11am and 2pm, and 5pm to midnight, between December 29 and January 4.

If this is true, you have to get your drinks from 2pm to 5pm and subsequently celebrate the New Year from midnight to 11:00 a.m. GREAT

[------SOI---VC-------]

A simple solution to the road deaths during New Year:

Allow free taxi service for everyone.

And double the average wage for taxi drivers for these few hours of fun

A very small price for the government to pay for saving lifes and property damage.

Sure, a few logistics problems to work out......but do-able I thinks

What do you think?

vc

[Dove]

Banning alcohol for the period at certain shops may not be the solution. It is still available elsewhere. It appears to me that there is a discrimination between the rich and poor as the poor would drink in groups at the park or in public places whereas the rich would drink in the pubs and entertainment places. So the are the rich allowed to be drunk and drive afterwards.

The solution is to punish the drunk drivers. Police should set up check points at strategic locations to with breathe analyzers. All drunkard drivers will be jailed for a day and given points on a demerit system which may result in the loss of a driving licence until one undergoes a driving test again before he is allowed to drive again. Jail for a day wuld be a good punishment. Who wants to spend New Year's day in Jail?

[Dr Hiram P. Klonky]

This story, if correct - and its certainly rings true - really does make quite vexatious reading. New years eve is the time when myself and the good lady wife (Mrs. Klonky) like to relax and raise a small glass of port to toast the incoming year. I suppose this all means that I will have to check on the bottle to see if sufficient remains for the coming celebrations. If not, some replenishment may well become advisable. Iwonder if other readers are contemplating doing the same? It may be prudent. Just a thought!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Sounds as though the Dr and Missus Klonky don't get up much of a warm glow for the New Year cheer

[Dr Hiram P. Klonky]

By no means, Dr Pat. There have indeed been occasions when the celebratory ramifications of certain events have reached such a measure of magnitude that the good lady wife and I have been forced to throw caution to the wind and reach for the bottle of sweet sherry. A little variety on these joyful occasions does less harm than we may think. Just a thought!

[Artisi]

If it wasn't so stupid it would be funny - but then this is Thailand.

[ThaiAdventure]

I would love to sit in on one of these government debates (if it is a debate and not just one persons bright idea) to understand exactly how they come up with some of these inspired solutions.

I wonder why it is the western new year and not the Thai or Chinese new year....hmmmm!

[peteypie]

If the government impose these New Year drinking restrictions, does anyone really thaink that it will make any difference? We all know, including our Thai friends, that Thais have got to be about the worse drivers on the planet! Possibly a few drinks will improve their 'skills'. I would say that rather than impose this half-ass regulation for a short period of time, (what about the Songkran carnage!) Why not impose new laws that force all drivers to take international standard driving tests to obtain a licence to drive, then have the 'Boys in Brown' and the Justice system introduce and impliment international standards of punishment for those who transgress. Not only would this provide employment for driving instructors, garage operators, who service vehicles for annual inspections, the courts, the prison service, testing officials and vehicle parts manufacturers, but it would save lives on an unbelieveable scale! The distress and financial burden to families whose loved ones are killed or injured would vanish, the State's 30 baht health scheme would be relieved of the cost burden of caring for the injured, and man hours of missed work would not adversely affect the economy as it does now. All these savings could pay for free taxis and higher fares on the night! My God! Did I really think of all these things without holding thousands of meetings of the great and good? I'll never be able to go intopolitics in LOS.

[mraloha]

great idea!!!!

but how will one day of limited prohibition be enforced? the years of prohibition in america only made al capone rich.

while they are at it they should ban fireworks also, which cause untold respatory and arterial damage for ederly people.

as for mormon massionics....i live in chaingmai and am in total agreement with the letter on the mormons ( they don't like to be called mormons anymore, the are seven day adventist now i think). i have heard stories that they (mormons) offer young thais english lessons and money to convert and turn them into unsmiling robots. the governmnet should stop the mormons in that they are taking away from young thais the most wonderful gift they have.....a wonderful buddhist smile and outlook.

[dezeure]

This country's government has completely lost their mind, and this country is going crazier and crazier? Is this still a democratic country or is this communist country where the people have nothing to say... Oh yes its democratic, but Taksin's vote counts for 51%... and so does everyone elses in the gov't.

Thanks for <deleted>#&ing up new year... Mr. Government, but if people want to get drunk they WILL anyway, and accidents WILL happen cause its not your laws that will save lives; it's the people themselves who need to be more responsible! and only EDUCATION will do that...

BTW, I saw some nice elephants walking down Sukhumvit yesterday? What happened to the 356th Ban on elephants Mr Taksin?

To all the other readers and foreigners in TH, may I wish you a merry X-mass and a Happy (dry) New Year

[mtnthai]

peteypie,

I would have to agree with you. It would seem that you do have some good suggestions that are warranted throughout the year and not just on the holidays.

I come form the great state of Vermont in the USA and we have had very strict alcohol regulations and enforcement for over two decades now. The result was an immediate and dramatic drop in highway fatalities and injury to persons and property. It was met with much debate at first but has since been embraced by all, as the results were amazingly positive and conducive to the public good and business.

Some of the laws are as follows:

1.) No happy hours, but you can have a happy drink of the day. This means no power drinking and the customers still get a deal but it is one that does not contribute to accident statistics in the manner of a happy hour.

2.) Food must be served in any drinking establishment. Insurance rates for the establishment are based on a ratio of food revenues to alcohol revenues after the first year.

3.) Bartenders are trained and licensed by the state in responsible bartending. If they serve someone who then has an accident they must face a fine, or imprisonment, or both and their employers establishment can be closed for a period of time, and that results in higher liability insurance rates to the establishment when it re-opens. Plus they may no longer tend bar in Vermont.

4.) Any one buying drinks for a minor or a person already shut off by the bartender can be fined and imprisoned, or both.

5.) Any one found to be driving and drinking is in immediate loss of their privilege to drive if failing a Breathalyzer test. (This is the only offense that an officer of the law does not require a judge to pass sentence on. It may be appealed but that person is not driving in the mean time.)

6.) A bartender may continue to serve a person if they turn over their keys and sign a statement that they will not drive with an additional set of keys.

7.) No open beverage containers allowed in vehicles either by drivers or passengers, thus the driver cannot pass the container to the passenger to avoid prosecution.

And one bonus self-imposed by many establishment proprietors is, turn over your keys and we will get you home at no charge. Pick up your keys tomorrow.

All of this, coupled with your suggestions, would be great, but not very likely to happen. It all requires sensibility and forethought, lack of greed and true compassion for the citizenry by politicians.

And, let us not forget one simple thing. Why must the enjoyment of the whole be curtailed by the childish and irresponsible behavior of the few? Stupid question I know, but I felt I had to ask. It all begins with education and compassion, two very basic Buddhist precepts. Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand, too, a democratic concept.

Regards,

mtnthai

[Begs]

Why only restrict it for such a short period of time, a look at road traffic accident data will convince anyone that Alcohol is a ###### shit drug that should be banned completely, and dont say that people are responsible for their own actions, when alcohol is involved , people lose all sense of responsibility, Alcohol should be banned, it is the cause of so many deaths and untold suffering, in my New World Order, Alcohol would be a Class A drug, alongside Heroin and Nicotine, and users would be thrown in jail alongside 'big ears' with his dancing pills. ............If you cant have a good time unless you are getting effects from drugs (Alcohol) then you should be looking into your miserable lives and contemplating suicide,

Good day Gentlemen!!!

Just say No!

[maerim]

Who wants to spend New Year's day in Jail?

Might be the safest place, no offence all drunk drivers.

[thaiguy147]

Begs,

I hope you have a good time in your new wold order, but please don't preach that crap to me. In my book, moderation is the key.

[george]

Please keep the topic "Alcohol Ban" here. The off topic religious postings about "Mormons" moved here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4471

/Admin

[bartender100]

I sometimes stay down Pattaya way,where in the daytime cops can be seen out enforcing the helmet rule all the time,come night time they are no were to be seen and virtually nobody wears helmets.

My point is, at night when all the robberies,mugging and accidents occurs there is hardly a cop to be seen,so I can't see how they will enforce this incredibly stupid drink law.

They would be better setting up check points to breathalyze motorists and get the message out that way.Was not last year a 24hr opening.

[Axel]

Just a couple of years ago, there was a strict alcohol control enforced in Bangkok.

Form 10:00 pm to 2:00 am. I think it lastet for 3 weeks and the chief of police promised openly, in such worthy case not to accept a bribe.

2:00 am they packed up and the drunks drove by. T.I.T.

Anyway, whenever possible, myself sober or not, I let my wife drive.

The police will not even bother to ask a question. Asian driving a car, farang sitting next is a clear case, the farang must be drunk.

[Thetyim]

"The sale of alcohol will be restricted at most food shops and restaurants - from 11am to 2pm, and 5pm to midnight, between December 29 and January 4. "

Think we had all better read that sentence again. Wonderful bit of ambiguous English. To me is means that alcohol WILL be sold between 5pm and midnight. Lots of you have read it the other way.

[bartender100]

Thetyim

You are right indeed,just edited my post.

[mtnthai]

explain how you can deduct that bit of "clarity" from what is clearly stated in the text? how do you determone that it reads the opposite. enlighten me, please.

[Dove]

Who wants to spend New Year's day in Jail?

Might be the safest place, no offence all drunk drivers.

The temple or home is safest.

The message should be if you drink don't drive, if you drive don't drink.

Why not party at home or if you need to go out and party stay at the hotel for the night.

Yes, I agree that the goverment should do something about drunk driving even for the rest of the year. The Ministry of Land Transport has tried to come up with so many laws and learnt from so many neighbouring countries about making the roads safe for all road users but who is there to enforce it? The police are good actors, the ministry also do stuff for the sake of showing the top that they are doing something just to keep the job. In Chiang Mai near the Thaepae gate I came a across a sign to tell pedestrians to cross at the crossing with a warning that offenders would be fined 200 Baht but the Land Transport Ministry forgot to put a sign to tell the pedestrians to beware the cars don't stop for pedestrians at the pedestrian crossing.

The people at the Land Transport ministry waste a lot of there time working extra hours but their campaigns fail to educate the public. They have come up with the most stringent set of regulations for renewal of driving licences but are the requirements significant for asafer roads?

The public is just too irresponsible especially the rich where a few thousand Bahts can undo a traffic offence. I have seen and have friend who have been with Thai business people who drink until they are drunk and don't even remember which roads they drove home by. Sometimes drinking like smoking is an "ego thing" . Watch them challenge their friends to drink more without even realizing that that could be the last time they might be drinking with them or that their drunken friends might kill someone's loved ones.

Teaching the Thais about responsibility may be the answer and it should start from school.

[translator]

"Entertainment venues" will be exempt from the clampdown, police said.

I wonder why they said that ! hmmm, profitable new year for some...

365 days in a year. You lot worry about not being pissed for one day...........come on now....

[Nam Kao]

I need a good 6-8 drinks before i would even CONSIDER getting out in the BKK traffic

[Begs]

Begs,

I hope you have a good time in your new wold order, but please don't preach that crap to me. In my book, moderation is the key.

CRAP? ....... Well i hope that if you are ever involved in an accident with a driver who is under the influence of Drugs (alcohol), he is not just moderately drunk. ......Cos you would have to forgive him if he was only moderately pissed .........wouldn't you?

[Thetyim]

explain how you can deduct that bit of "clarity" from what is clearly stated in the text? how do you determone that it reads the opposite. enlighten me, please.

It is not clearly stated, it is ambiguous.

It can be interpreted both ways .

Go back and read it again.

[mtnthai]

well i did and i have again read it, re-read it and read it again. the only thing i see wrong is the coma before the word "and" but the intention seems clear to me.

having lived here for over 11 years i know there is ambiguity in there but not because of the way it is written but because of the manner in which the local policy makers do their thing or not.

whatever it says or implies i think we all know that it is a fools attempt to rein in a problem that is rooted far deeper than they wish to address. it is education and enforcement, in a balanced and sincere manner that will, over time make the difference.

a government's duty to its citizens is to, at times, create laws and policies that may go against the grain at first but will eventually be for the common good. this is a very fine line to tread and requires truely just governance and enforcement. but as long as the lobbyists prevail nothing will be achieved.

tobacco is another such similar area that needs to be looked at. think of the burden on the 30 baht scheme simply from smoking related illnesses. alcohol is just one more to pile on the heap. until all the people have satisfying lives to live they will continue seek solace in alternatives. that is a fact. and, not an ambiguos one either.

[Begs]

Agree,......................................... if 4 million people are killed by Alcohol and tobbaco worldwide in a year, its like having over 11000 jumbo jets crashing each year killing all on board, i think if 30+ Planes where crashing everyday, people would be scared to fly...............yet people actually pay to risk the lives of themselves and those around them......and thats having a good time?

Goverments enforce the motorcycle helmet law to save lives, seatbelt law to save lives............i think that they should ban Tobacco and Alcohol to save hundreds of thousands of lives every year.........................They are dangerous drugs, it's as simple as that.

[Stevieboy]

i think that they should ban Tobacco and Alcohol to save hundreds of thousands of lives every year.........................They are dangerous drugs, it's as simple as that.

If it was banned tho it would not stop people taking it tho would it?

In fact alchol would become more dangerous IMO

Prohibition has never worked and never will, Goverments should legalise other recreational drugs like ectasy and cocaine but clamp down on related crime, be it drunk drivers or muggers.