Phuket prohibition: Upcoming elections bring alcohol ban

Phuket Election Commission Director Kittipong Thiengkunakrit

PHUKET: -- Alcohol will be off the menu as residents go to the polls on November 19 to elect presidents and council members for six Phuket Tambon Administration Organizations (OrBorTor).

The ban on alcohol sales, as is policy for every election in Thailand, will begin at 6pm on November 18 and last until midnight on election day.

Residents in Koh Kaew, Kamala, Cherng Talay, Thepkrasattri, Mai Khao and Sakoo will cast votes in presidential and council member races.

Each voter must select one president for the OrBorTor and two council members to represent their village. Currently there are 16 candidates for the six presidential positions up for grabs, and 183 candidates for 84 council member seats.

The terms of the people filling these positions expired on October 6, Phuket Election Committee (PEC) Director Kittipong Thiengkunagrit said.

Chalong and Srisoonthorn – both formerly administered by OrBorTor – have been elevated to “municipality” status. The election dates for the two new municipalities have yet to be set, Mr Kittipong said.

“Officers of these two [new] municipalities are now considering the ‘election zones’. Once they have been decided, the PEC will seek approval from the Election Commission of Thailand,” he said.

He urged residents of tambons holding elections to check the lists of eligible voters to make sure their names are included. The final day to apply for a name to be added to the list is November 8, he said.

There will be no advanced voting in these elections, he said, adding that if a registered voter cannot vote on November 19, they must submit an explanation letter to their respective OrBorTor if they wish to maintain certain rights, such as the ability to sign a petition contesting the elections or to be eligible to run for council member or tambon chief positions in the next elections.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article11353.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-11-03

Oh shiz I'd better stock up, wouldn't want to get caught out on a weekend.

Well, keep those old fashioned laws of yours. There are no tourists coming soon as they can go to other places which have realized, that the 21st century has arrived. Thailand's evolution tends to be devolution. Happy voting and dont forget the vote buying part, which - quite contrary to a booze ban for alien farangs - is quite in order as the money stays among Thais. Thais love Thais; we've seen the beginning of the outcome and there is more up the sleeve; just stay tuned to this FOC comedy.

Ahhh Election Day. Should also ban tobacco and the public should also fast, then at midnight the 19th... Yee Haaa!! Party time!!

At least the paint sniffers and drug addicts will not be affected.

Oh my, the foreign dipsomaniacs are irate that they can't buy alcohol on this one day. Must be quite horrible being enslaved to the demon rum.

Come on, guys... A couple of days in which you can not buy alcohol, so if you want to drink: Stock Up

OK, life in the bars will be quiet, but what about bringing your own Sang Som (in a bag!) to the bar!? You'll make a lot of 'friends'

THIS is not really a problem!

Have a good time (burps) :jap:

What is the theory behind no alcohol sales during/on election day? Can a vote be baht for the price of a drink? Do voters get drunk and forget to vote? Do drunks vote incorrectly? Or is this again a "show" , make things look good. More for presentation than consumption. Sort of like make a law to ban sales of alcohol between 2 and 5 PM, that will fix the alcoholic problem in Thailand, no stastics to prove it works but Holly Cow does it look great that something is being done.

Ahhhhh bulls..t. Every small shop and stall around small roads will sell you whatever you want. Thai or farang who cares. Ask a motorbike taxi guy. He will take you , sell you and bring you whatever you demand 24\7. Election days no exception.