Alcohol banned tonight for Makha Bucha Day
Phuket Gazette -

The sale and purchase of alcohol is forbidden today throughout Thailand in observance of Makha Bucha Day.

PHUKET: A nationwide ban on the sale and purchase of alcohol is in effect today, Makha Bucha Day, one of four annual religious Thai holidays.

“Alcohol is banned in Phuket and across the country out of respect for the holy day,” Deputy Commander of Phuket Provincial Police Peerayuth Karajedee told the Phuket Gazette today.

“We have sent out a letter to inform night entertainment business operators of the ban. It will be in effective until sunrise tomorrow,” Col Peerayuth said.

Anyone found breaking the law can receive a prison sentence of up to six months, a 10,000-baht fine or both, he explained.

“We believe Thai people, alcohol retailers and all the night entertainment operators know that the sale and purchase of alcohol is prohibited on this special day – we see no need to send out extra officers to enforce the ban,” he said.

Makha Bucha Day marks the significant day nine months after the Buddha’s enlightenment when 1250 disciples arrived, unplanned, to meet him. The Buddha ordained them and passed to them the main precepts of Buddhism: to abstain from evil, to do good and to purify the mind.

Many Buddhists in Thailand will be making merit today, and following the five Buddhist precepts for laymen, one of which is to abstain from alcohol.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Alcohol-banned-tonight-for-Makha-Bucha-Day-20321.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-02-25

Lots of BiB rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of a rewarding day's work.

I wonder where my wife's cousin rustled up a box of Singha and a box of Chang this morning - bloody disgraceful.

Anyway, where's the bottle opener.

Beer in hand ... blah blah blah!

The bourbon in the Stradavarius household is flowing freely

The heading is wrong. It should read "alcohol banned tonight for any bar/shop/club who has not paid off the police"