Was I The Only One Who Missed It ?

[jonwilly]

Went out for lunch yesterday, first time for a couple of weeks.

Sat in Bad Dog and at a few mins to 2pm the bar tabs vanish and 'Drink Up'.

I am told the Polis had been round and NO Drinking of alcohol between 2 and 5PM.

Seems a few day before Polis had turned up and 'Stopped' boozing even confiscating one Chang bottle as evidence.

One of the bar staff, not Gae, had to report to Polis station and pay a B500 fine.

john

Understand John's bar does not suffer this restriction.

[Gonzo the Face]

Heard about this the other day..... sounds crazy to me..... but hey.....

I accept, but don't fully, or marginally, understand the logic behind the mini mart or Makro type stores can sell between 11a and 2 p, then again after 5p to midnight. I remember someone saying this years ago, that it was to prevent school kids from getting their hands on alcohol , as the reason. That doesn't seem to fit. Available 11a to 2p would be times that school is out for lunch, then when kids go back to class, not available til 5p when the kids are out of class.

But all of this is if you want a case or less of beer, it is negated when one is allowed to buy 2 cases or more , which you can do anytime.

But what is the reasoning behind making this interpretation for a bar? Do school kids go to the bar for lunch hour?

[Gonzo the Face]

Surprised me very much that there is no replying to this post.

Would have said that there are a heap of consumers of alcoholic beverages among our ranks and some must have run across this problem/inconvenience. Any response from Mad Dog customers.

Again , while I agree with living up to the law, if it in fact affects bar type establishments, I cannot determine what the common sense purpose of these hour restrictions could be

[Beetlejuice]

Surprised me very much that there is no replying to this post.

Would have said that there are a heap of consumers of alcoholic beverages among our ranks and some must have run across this problem/inconvenience. Any response from Mad Dog customers.

Again , while I agree with living up to the law, if it in fact affects bar type establishments, I cannot determine what the common sense purpose of these hour restrictions could be

The object of the exercise is to eliminate all forms of adult entertainments in Chiang Mai, including girly bar establishments, certain discos, karaoke bars and clubs, massage parlours that provide extra services and to limit the amount of drinking time within the city.

The intentions is to transform Chiang Mai into some sort of cultural city that is believed will attract all those decent upper class visitors who have no desires to mix with nasty tourists that enjoy a drink or sampling some nightlife and will spend heaps of money on so-called cultural tours and attractions and stay at the most expensive hotels and resorts, therefore giving Chiang Mai a reputation as a quality high end tourist destination and deterring all those disgusting sexpats, low class backpacker types and other undesirables from wanting to visit here. And so far it appears they are making a good job of dissuading tourists from visiting Chiang Mai all in the name of culturalism and decency.

These clamp downs began in the province of Lamphun some time ago with a vengeance, establishment owners have been heavily fined and in some cases even closed down completely for disregarding the rules imposed by the police.

So there you have it.

[Paagai]

The object of the exercise is to eliminate all forms of adult entertainments in Chiang Mai, including girly bar establishments, certain discos, karaoke bars and clubs, massage parlours that provide extra services and to limit the amount of drinking time within the city.

I guess you haven't been around Chang Puek recently? Your assertions are certainly not supported by facts on the ground either here or around Nimmanheminda area.

Whilst I suspect what you claim is, in part, true for the old city and Thapae cultural and tourist areas, it certainly isn't being applied to Thai venues catering for Thai customers in other parts of town.

[Semper]

Maybe Mad Dog doesn't pay for the "licence" to sell alcohol between 2PM-5PM?

[Gonzo the Face]

Well following that theory, lets see if I understand .....

A certain element in Thailand desires the upper class, elite tourist.

Visitors of this class obviously do not drink .

Visitors of this class would stay in upper level establishments, lets just pick a place ...... a Marriott type of place.

Now in dining in one of the Marriotts fine dining establishments they surely would not have a drink, they would have a cocktail....

Taking the Mad Dog as a comparison, [be fair, they both start with 'M'] at 2PM the Mad Dog slob, low class dregs of the earth customer, would have to surrender his 'drink'.....

and

the high class, elite 'Guest' of the Marriott, would also have to give up his cocktail. ????????

Now is this a locally spawned regulation or nationwide????

[Gonzo the Face]

The object of the exercise is to eliminate all forms of adult entertainments in Chiang Mai, including girly bar establishments, certain discos, karaoke bars and clubs, massage parlours that provide extra services and to limit the amount of drinking time within the city.

I guess you haven't been around Chang Puek recently? Your assertions are certainly not supported by facts on the ground either here or around Nimmanheminda area.

Whilst I suspect what you claim is, in part, true for the old city and Thapae cultural and tourist areas, it certainly isn't being applied to Thai venues catering for Thai customers in other parts of town.

You mean like the Low Crow Cultural District????

[Beetlejuice]

The object of the exercise is to eliminate all forms of adult entertainments in Chiang Mai, including girly bar establishments, certain discos, karaoke bars and clubs, massage parlours that provide extra services and to limit the amount of drinking time within the city.

I guess you haven't been around Chang Puek recently? Your assertions are certainly not supported by facts on the ground either here or around Nimmanheminda area.

Whilst I suspect what you claim is, in part, true for the old city and Thapae cultural and tourist areas, it certainly isn't being applied to Thai venues catering for Thai customers in other parts of town.

Correct, because although in theory the same restrictions should also apply to the Thai establishments, in fact the police do turn a blind eye and let these places operate mostly without being hassled or closely scrutinised and one reason why many Thai adult entertainment establishments prefer to keep the farang clienteles at bay rather than draw attention to themselves from the police and of course providing the Thai businesses keep things fairly discrete and mostly for the benefits of the local Thais, than this has no impacts on tourism or regarding the reputation of Chiang Mai on an International level.

The Chiang Mai authorities are mostly placing restrictions on the Western tourist and ex-pat venues for reasons that I have mentioned in my previous post. The same applied to Lamphun, when some Thai owed restaurants and bars that mostly catered for farang clienteles were placed under heavy restrictions and the local Thai venues were mostly left alone to continue on with business as usual.

[Awk]

The intentions is to transform Chiang Mai into some sort of cultural city that is believed will attract all those decent upper class visitors

I guess the only thing I can hope for, then, is that those of us already here will somehow become "grandfathered" in.

[funcat]

I don't know about the Mad Dog...but this law about NOT selling alcohol in certain time of a day is plain stupid and unexplainable...can't buy a bottle of beer,but can buy 2 cases !!!...it has nothing to do with school kids...I have no idea who came up with this ?!!

[Mapguy]

I'm not having a big problem understanding the relatively recent but apparently increasing effort to "police" Chiang Mai with the notion to make the town more attractive to some (if not all) residents and tourists. Some people (Some post on this forum) are "outraged" by this sort of thing: closing Spicey, or making Spicy shape up, or whatever. On the other hand, I understand Gonzo's concern. Yes, the afternoon business might be down! Sometimes I read posters saying something like "Where I come from you can drink around the clock!!" If that is your style, perhaps you ought check with AA! Anyway, you can always drink at home, should you wish!

One wonders if local and provincial leaders --- as well as many well-established Chiang Mai families --- don't have legitimate concerns. On one hand, I do not believe that they want to see Chiang Mai turned into some Thai version of "Disneyland" with casinos, which might have been Khun Thaksin's vision, but they also do not want to be overrun by overdevelopment OR --- getting specifically to booze and sex --- the town overrun like Pattaya, just to pick one town in the south. Pattaya is not for general tastes! I hear tell that the Thai and Russian mafias are taking hold. Phuket? What is going on there?

Thailand has gained an unfortunate reputation (basically since the 60s) as a forgiving land of easy sex and drink --- and a lot worse, such as being a fruitful stalking ground for pedophiles. If you haven't noticed, then you really haven't been paying attention. Unfortunately, that has attracted some questionable sorts of people. (I am not certain what UG mentioned on another thread as "poor white trash" are, but he might be on to something.) Even the innocent but relatively poor aging who have come to settle here are an increasing problem. Seeking a less expensive place to live, these can be very nice people, good neighbors --- until it is discovered that they have not been responsible enough to provide for themselves and their future. Then they are a burden on themselves, their friends, and on Thailand. Should Thailand accept responsibility for their welfare?

So, why do you wonder that there is concern? Why would you wonder that there is serious talk of tightening up immigration laws? That there are "crackdowns," and so on?

[Mapguy]

Well following that theory, lets see if I understand .....

A certain element in Thailand desires the upper class, elite tourist.

Visitors of this class obviously do not drink .

Visitors of this class would stay in upper level establishments, lets just pick a place ...... a Marriott type of place.

Now in dining in one of the Marriotts fine dining establishments they surely would not have a drink, they would have a cocktail....

Taking the Mad Dog as a comparison, [be fair, they both start with 'M'] at 2PM the Mad Dog slob, low class dregs of the earth customer, would have to surrender his 'drink'.....

and

the high class, elite 'Guest' of the Marriott, would also have to give up his cocktail. ????????

Now is this a locally spawned regulation or nationwide????

Gonzo, I think you are going a bit overboard! Maybe because of the type, location and clientele of your place:

You said of the "elite":

Visitors of this class obviously do not drink .

Visitors of this class would stay in upper level establishments, lets just pick a place ...... a Marriott type of place.

Now in dining in one of the Marriotts fine dining establishments they surely would not have a drink, they would have a cocktail....

That's a crock of sh*t! You aren't really serious, are you !!

I would suggest, as you seem to do, that the law be equally applied to any establishment beginning with the letter "M," or any other letter and it probably won't ! La-de-da! How about a protest parade ?!! Why should the "51" red shirts have all the fun!! Get your boys organized! March on city hall !!!! Block the drive to the governor's residence!! We need some excitement around here!!

[funcat]

I'm not having a big problem understanding the relatively recent but apparently increasing effort to "police" Chiang Mai with the notion to make the town more attractive to some (if not all) residents and tourists. Some people (Some post on this forum) are "outraged" by this sort of thing: closing Spicey, or making Spicy shape up, or whatever. On the other hand, I understand Gonzo's concern. Yes, the afternoon business might be down! Sometimes I read posters saying something like "Where I come from you can drink around the clock!!" If that is your style, perhaps you ought check with AA! Anyway, you can always drink at home, should you wish!

One wonders if local and provincial leaders --- as well as many well-established Chiang Mai families --- don't have legitimate concerns. On one hand, I do not believe that they want to see Chiang Mai turned into some Thai version of "Disneyland" with casinos, which might have been Khun Thaksin's vision, but they also do not want to be overrun by overdevelopment OR --- getting specifically to booze and sex --- the town overrun like Pattaya, just to pick one town in the south. Pattaya is not for general tastes! I hear tell that the Thai and Russian mafias are taking hold. Phuket? What is going on there?

Thailand has gained an unfortunate reputation (basically since the 60s) as a forgiving land of easy sex and drink --- and a lot worse, such as being a fruitful stalking ground for pedophiles. If you haven't noticed, then you really haven't been paying attention. Unfortunately, that has attracted some questionable sorts of people. (I am not certain what UG mentioned on another thread as "poor white trash" are, but he might be on to something.) Even the innocent but relatively poor aging who have come to settle here are an increasing problem. Seeking a less expensive place to live, these can be very nice people, good neighbors --- until it is discovered that they have not been responsible enough to provide for themselves and their future. Then they are a burden on themselves, their friends, and on Thailand. Should Thailand accept responsibility for their welfare?

So, why do you wonder that there is concern? Why would you wonder that there is serious talk of tightening up immigration laws? That there are "crackdowns," and so on?

"... Thai version of "Disneyland" with casinos..."

...man,where are you come from...'wonderland'?!!

[Mapguy]

I'm not having a big problem understanding the relatively recent but apparently increasing effort to "police" Chiang Mai with the notion to make the town more attractive to some (if not all) residents and tourists. Some people (Some post on this forum) are "outraged" by this sort of thing: closing Spicey, or making Spicy shape up, or whatever. On the other hand, I understand Gonzo's concern. Yes, the afternoon business might be down! Sometimes I read posters saying something like "Where I come from you can drink around the clock!!" If that is your style, perhaps you ought check with AA! Anyway, you can always drink at home, should you wish!

One wonders if local and provincial leaders --- as well as many well-established Chiang Mai families --- don't have legitimate concerns. On one hand, I do not believe that they want to see Chiang Mai turned into some Thai version of "Disneyland" with casinos, which might have been Khun Thaksin's vision, but they also do not want to be overrun by overdevelopment OR --- getting specifically to booze and sex --- the town overrun like Pattaya, just to pick one town in the south. Pattaya is not for general tastes! I hear tell that the Thai and Russian mafias are taking hold. Phuket? What is going on there?

Thailand has gained an unfortunate reputation (basically since the 60s) as a forgiving land of easy sex and drink --- and a lot worse, such as being a fruitful stalking ground for pedophiles. If you haven't noticed, then you really haven't been paying attention. Unfortunately, that has attracted some questionable sorts of people. (I am not certain what UG mentioned on another thread as "poor white trash" are, but he might be on to something.) Even the innocent but relatively poor aging who have come to settle here are an increasing problem. Seeking a less expensive place to live, these can be very nice people, good neighbors --- until it is discovered that they have not been responsible enough to provide for themselves and their future. Then they are a burden on themselves, their friends, and on Thailand. Should Thailand accept responsibility for their welfare?

So, why do you wonder that there is concern? Why would you wonder that there is serious talk of tightening up immigration laws? That there are "crackdowns," and so on?

"... Thai version of "Disneyland" with casinos..."

...man,where are you come from...'wonderland'?!!

Nope, but Khun Thaksin is !!! If there's profit!

Edited November 2, 2012 by Mapguy

[hellodolly]

The object of the exercise is to eliminate all forms of adult entertainments in Chiang Mai, including girly bar establishments, certain discos, karaoke bars and clubs, massage parlours that provide extra services and to limit the amount of drinking time within the city.

I guess you haven't been around Chang Puek recently? Your assertions are certainly not supported by facts on the ground either here or around Nimmanheminda area.

Whilst I suspect what you claim is, in part, true for the old city and Thapae cultural and tourist areas, it certainly isn't being applied to Thai venues catering for Thai customers in other parts of town.

Correct, because although in theory the same restrictions should also apply to the Thai establishments, in fact the police do turn a blind eye and let these places operate mostly without being hassled or closely scrutinised and one reason why many Thai adult entertainment establishments prefer to keep the farang clienteles at bay rather than draw attention to themselves from the police and of course providing the Thai businesses keep things fairly discrete and mostly for the benefits of the local Thais, than this has no impacts on tourism or regarding the reputation of Chiang Mai on an International level.

The Chiang Mai authorities are mostly placing restrictions on the Western tourist and ex-pat venues for reasons that I have mentioned in my previous post. The same applied to Lamphun, when some Thai owed restaurants and bars that mostly catered for farang clienteles were placed under heavy restrictions and the local Thai venues were mostly left alone to continue on with business as usual.

I think it is a country wide law not specific to Chiang Mai. Have you ever considered moving to Pai?

[Beetlejuice]

The object of the exercise is to eliminate all forms of adult entertainments in Chiang Mai, including girly bar establishments, certain discos, karaoke bars and clubs, massage parlours that provide extra services and to limit the amount of drinking time within the city.

I guess you haven't been around Chang Puek recently? Your assertions are certainly not supported by facts on the ground either here or around Nimmanheminda area.

Whilst I suspect what you claim is, in part, true for the old city and Thapae cultural and tourist areas, it certainly isn't being applied to Thai venues catering for Thai customers in other parts of town.

Correct, because although in theory the same restrictions should also apply to the Thai establishments, in fact the police do turn a blind eye and let these places operate mostly without being hassled or closely scrutinised and one reason why many Thai adult entertainment establishments prefer to keep the farang clienteles at bay rather than draw attention to themselves from the police and of course providing the Thai businesses keep things fairly discrete and mostly for the benefits of the local Thais, than this has no impacts on tourism or regarding the reputation of Chiang Mai on an International level.

The Chiang Mai authorities are mostly placing restrictions on the Western tourist and ex-pat venues for reasons that I have mentioned in my previous post. The same applied to Lamphun, when some Thai owed restaurants and bars that mostly catered for farang clienteles were placed under heavy restrictions and the local Thai venues were mostly left alone to continue on with business as usual.

I think it is a country wide law not specific to Chiang Mai. Have you ever considered moving to Pai?

I did once consider moving to Pai, but the public and my audience demand that I stay in Chiang Mai, otherwise they claim, that these Chiang Mai threads would become boring and fall into decline without me.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The object of the exercise is to eliminate all forms of adult entertainments in Chiang Mai, including girly bar establishments, certain discos, karaoke bars and

The object of the exercise is to make some money.

Which is fair enough. Imagine living in a non-corrupt country. Retire in Sweden, anyone?

[junglechef]

and then there is the small point that no alcohol is sold between 2-5 on the weekends as well when the school is out. And what about the drinking age here and why don't they just enforce that it is obeyed by the stores and not make those who want to purchases beer inconvenienced never the less I'm sure anybody who wants to get around it can figure a way such as buy the day before or at any mom and pop

[jonwilly]

"Poor White Trash"

Experience says you do not have to be POOR to be White Trash.

john