Ban On Alcohol Consumption On Public Buses: Thailand

[SIamYank]

I just assumed this type of law always existed. Makes sense to me. I've had the unpleasant situation of sharing a bus with obnoxiously drunk and annoying people before. People ride buses to get somewhere. They shouldn't have to deal with drunken idiots -- that's what bars are for.

Not to hijack the thread but this reminds me that I've never heard an explanation for the restriction on booze sales from 2 pm to 5 pm everyday. I've assumed it's to stop people from getting drunk during their work or school day. If that's the case, isn't it a bit embarrassing to have to make a law like that? Sort of like saying that one's population doesn't have enough self-control or maturity to be responsible.

So why not ban obnoxiously drunk and annoying people and leave the folks that calmly sip their booze alone. I aint bothering you! Why do you have a problem with me. My alcholism isnt your problem its mine.

[Geekfreaklover]

Who has to enforce this new law? The poor bus conductor / ticket lady who quite frankly would usually rather let the alcoholics drink their drinks and then get off the bus at their stop rather than having to cause a scene of confrontation in front of a busload of people. For 200 baht a day should she have to be dealing with this kinda stuff?

[surangw]

Does This also apply to the driver I wonder?

supposed to, but no mention of yabaa use by the driver

[jaywalker]

Just like prostitution is banned in Thailand right? And not wearing a helmet on a motorbike is banned, not stopping at a red light is banned, bars open past 2am is banned, Pornograpghy is banned, yaba is banned, talking on your cell phone while driving is banned.... I could go on all day...

Laws banning stuff mean nothing if there is no enforcement... Remember when the drunk kids stabbed and killed someone at Kao Yie and they "Banned" liquor at all of the national parks? Has anything changed at the national parks since then? Anyone who believes this "Law" will have the slightest effect on drinking in factories or on busses is a fool.

Here, here! Well said my friend!

A law is only as good as it is enforced. The only reason prostitution is illegal here is because the the Puritanical West said it should be.

Cowering politicians made it a 'Law", so the West was happy and gives them loads of favorable trade agreements, treaties, military aid etc.

Would that American hookers were as sweet & nice as they (generally) are in LOS.

I am from Florida & had the mis-fortune of spending 4 days & 3 nights at a seedy hotel near the Jacksonville airport in 2008.

Good-God!!!!! The place had girls (crack addicts or maybe meth addicts) all over the place. It made the Thermae at 0400 hrs look like a Miss Universe pageant. Where were the cops when I needed them? They should have been arrested for publicly littering with their looks.

Edited August 9, 2012 by jaywalker

[Thai at Heart]

It's still party time in private vehicles. After all, as we all know, alcohol only affects people driving and riding public transportation, but if you own a Mercedes you can put a bar in back of your car and drive yourself to drink.

Not according to the another newspaper: Passengers, in any vehicle, are not allowed to drink alcohol as it encourages the driver to drink.

I wonder how that affects pick-ups where they sit in the back and drink alcohol.

Oh yes, songkran pickups. Now that's a big earner.

[Thai at Heart]

I just assumed this type of law always existed. Makes sense to me. I've had the unpleasant situation of sharing a bus with obnoxiously drunk and annoying people before. People ride buses to get somewhere. They shouldn't have to deal with drunken idiots -- that's what bars are for.

Not to hijack the thread but this reminds me that I've never heard an explanation for the restriction on booze sales from 2 pm to 5 pm everyday. I've assumed it's to stop people from getting drunk during their work or school day. If that's the case, isn't it a bit embarrassing to have to make a law like that? Sort of like saying that one's population doesn't have enough self-control or maturity to be responsible.

So why not ban obnoxiously drunk and annoying people and leave the folks that calmly sip their booze alone. I aint bothering you! Why do you have a problem with me. My alcholism isnt your problem its mine.

Passing a law like drunk and disorderly would be far too logical and easy to enforce, so let's write one that is virtually enforceable and has 1000s of what ifs.

Typical system for writing a law in Thailand.

[hawker9000]

I just assumed this type of law always existed. Makes sense to me. I've had the unpleasant situation of sharing a bus with obnoxiously drunk and annoying people before. People ride buses to get somewhere. They shouldn't have to deal with drunken idiots -- that's what bars are for.

Not to hijack the thread but this reminds me that I've never heard an explanation for the restriction on booze sales from 2 pm to 5 pm everyday. I've assumed it's to stop people from getting drunk during their work or school day. If that's the case, isn't it a bit embarrassing to have to make a law like that? Sort of like saying that one's population doesn't have enough self-control or maturity to be responsible.

LOL. Read again. The new law doesn't say you can't be drunk in a vehicle, only that you can't consume alcohol in one. And those with a pulse know that it's just another Thailand Tea Money opportunity (except this one may allow the drivers to harvest a little tea money as well). The fact that millions weren't spent on handouts to cronies for "studies" is a big plus as far as I'm concerned.

[hellodolly]

I just assumed this type of law always existed. Makes sense to me. I've had the unpleasant situation of sharing a bus with obnoxiously drunk and annoying people before. People ride buses to get somewhere. They shouldn't have to deal with drunken idiots -- that's what bars are for.

Not to hijack the thread but this reminds me that I've never heard an explanation for the restriction on booze sales from 2 pm to 5 pm everyday. I've assumed it's to stop people from getting drunk during their work or school day. If that's the case, isn't it a bit embarrassing to have to make a law like that? Sort of like saying that one's population doesn't have enough self-control or maturity to be responsible.

LOL. Read again. The new law doesn't say you can't be drunk in a vehicle, only that you can't consume alcohol in one. And those with a pulse know that it's just another Thailand Tea Money opportunity (except this one may allow the drivers to harvest a little tea money as well). The fact that millions weren't spent on handouts to cronies for "studies" is a big plus as far as I'm concerned.

O by Jove Watson you have two valuable clues there.

[mowgus]

None of this matters. There are laws that say you have to wear a helmet too but look around. Laws in Thailand are merely suggestions and can be side-stepped with the right amount of baht.

I still laugh that they need to have a law such as this when 95% of Thai's are Buddhist (as a Buddhist, you're not supposed to drink...or so I have been told).

[DrTuner]

None of this matters. There are laws that say you have to wear a helmet too but look around. Laws in Thailand are merely suggestions and can be side-stepped with the right amount of baht.

Well, yes, I always like to say that while the laws in Thailand are clear and seem to make sense, the enforcement is corrupted simply because the governed prefer it to be so. I can understand them, since I'm quite anti-government myself. Corruption is a form of freedom under restrictive rules.

[dangman]

coaches? that sucks.. it'll be interesting to see if they enforce it..

the coaches i mean, not the police..

and are they including trains?

i'd miss those guys walking up and down the train's ice bucket beers.

not so much the dining car double-price beer, but still..

i like it there as an option

and it's social.. i've met many thai people this way..

sharing a drink, practicing language, passing the time as the train rattles along

good to hear that boats are fine..

the big boat to koh phangan around full moon time can be great fun

not so much if everyone's sober

[webfact]

LEGISLATION

Drunk-driving law tightened

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to six months imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine, the Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced yesterday.

The penalties will also be imposed on drinkers in vehicles parked on sidewalks or shoulders of public roads, including sois, regardless of whether the vehicles are moving, OAB director Samarn Footrakool said.

Passengers of railbased transport who drink are not subject to the penalties, which took effect on Wednesday. Drinking occupants and drivers will be equally liable for such violations. "The only exceptions under this law are occupants of vehicles parked in front of their homes," he said.

Stop Drink Foundation director Theera Watcharapranee said the law would be helpful in reducing road accident casualties associated with drunk driving, but a limit or restriction on sales of alcohol during long holiday breaks would be more supportive of the law. New restrictions on consumption and sale of alcohol in factories will take effect 90 days from Monday's endorsement of a separate law.

-- The Nation 2012-08-10

[BigSkip]

It's still party time in private vehicles. After all, as we all know, alcohol only affects people driving and riding public transportation, but if you own a Mercedes you can put a bar in back of your car and drive yourself to drink.

Not according to the another newspaper: Passengers, in any vehicle, are not allowed to drink alcohol as it encourages the driver to drink.

I wonder how that affects pick-ups where they sit in the back and drink alcohol.

............hahahha..... sure

Edited August 9, 2012 by BigSkip

[honcho]

we must remember that laws in lieland are only guidelines.... if the correct tea money is given then one can flagrently ignore them!!!

[Amras]

Ahh amazing. Another, don't fix the real problem and enforce EXISTING Laws, ie driver must be under 0.05 BAC, let's just make another law to look like we are doing something and hey, we can make more money in the process in fines.

I can't imagine this law (passengers can't drink in any car) is going to be popular with the Thai's. Drunk drivers and those high on drugs are the problem, not the mere presence of alcoholic fumes within a car.

How much more useless can this government get. ?

[jacko45k]

It's still party time in private vehicles. After all, as we all know, alcohol only affects people driving and riding public transportation, but if you own a Mercedes you can put a bar in back of your car and drive yourself to drink.

Good...... I always have a bottle to finish off when the wife picks me up!

[DP25]

Occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to six months imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine, the Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced yesterday.

This will be a great money maker for the police. Tourists aren't going to be aware of the new law, gonna be more than a few of them that get busted for drinking in a taxi. I've done it on many occasions on the way out for the night.

[Amras]

Occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to six months imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine, the Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced yesterday.

This will be a great money maker for the police. Tourists aren't going to be aware of the new law, gonna be more than a few of them that get busted for drinking in a taxi. I've done it on many occasions on the way out for the night.

This is a good point, I hadn't thought of that.

[creck]

FLASH: Alcohol bans in all vehicles and factories; Thaivisa member commits suicide

Funniest thing seen on Thai Visa today!

Why do most of the comments on this thread seem to think that alcohol inside people is banned?

[sirchai]

Is the ban also for members of the parliament?

[creck]

It's sad if people can't control their urge to drink for a few minutes/hours ride.

I feel sorry for these weak people and will feel much better now not being surrounded by drunken people on a public bus.

There are more important things in life than booze.

Name one.

Sex

Important? I think enjoyable is what you are thinking.

If the sex is bad; the drink after cheers you up.

If the drink is bad the sex will be too!

[rubl]

Occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are now subject to six months imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine, the Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced yesterday

Why is this announced by the "Office of Alcohol Beverages" ?

[lor]

"The penalties will also be imposed on drinkers in vehicles parked on sidewalks or shoulders of public roads, including sois, regardless of whether the vehicles are moving,"

Has any one walked along Beach Road Jomtien on a weekend? All the Thais come from Bangkok for a weekend away and park along the beach. They eat, sleep and Drink in their cars!

Does this mean that hundreds of holiday makers are going to be prosecuted each weekend?

Chris

[Semper]

There are more important things in life than booze.

Such as....

[Semper]

It's sad if people can't control their urge to drink for a few minutes/hours ride.

I feel sorry for these weak people and will feel much better now not being surrounded by drunken people on a public bus.

There are more important things in life than booze.

Name one.

Sex

In a Bus?

[DrTuner]

Now if they only made a law that listening to loud music is illegal as well. We'd finally get rid of those annoying boomboomboom-karaoke buses. Or why just not cut to the chase and make karaoke illegal. Hell, I'd chip in to buy the votes needed there.

EDIT: and the fresh Thai view of the law "blah blah blah", polled five of them

Edited August 10, 2012 by DrTuner

[DrTuner]

Has any one walked along Beach Road Jomtien on a weekend? All the Thais come from Bangkok for a weekend away and park along the beach. They eat, sleep and Drink in their cars!

All you have to say is that you've just moved to your new beachfront home and you're exempt. Or the usual 200b teamoney to BiB if they show up and the mia noi needs a bit of cash. A most excellent cash cow for Thailand's finest.

[SIamYank]

Now if they only made a law that listening to loud music is illegal as well. We'd finally get rid of those annoying boomboomboom-karaoke buses. Or why just not cut to the chase and make karaoke illegal. Hell, I'd chip in to buy the votes needed there.

EDIT: and the fresh Thai view of the law "blah blah blah", polled five of them

I think you'd need more money than Taksin to buy the votes needed to make Karaoke illegal.

[Tanuki]

None of this matters. There are laws that say you have to wear a helmet too but look around. Laws in Thailand are merely suggestions and can be side-stepped with the right amount of baht.

I still laugh that they need to have a law such as this when 95% of Thai's are Buddhist (as a Buddhist, you're not supposed to drink...or so I have been told).

and I'm sure gambling is also frowned upon yet...

I wish they would make a law about having to stop and check for traffic before pulling out of a soi, that would certainly save lives and my breaks.

[dangman]

we must remember that laws in lieland are only guidelines.... if the correct tea money is given then one can flagrently ignore them!!!

yeah and how are you supposed to know how much that is going to be?

is it worth 500 baht to drink a 50 baht beer?

what if they demand 1000 baht?

better off just not drinking in the vehicle.