Alcohol Sales Ban For Visakha Bucha Day, 24 May

[Frank James]

The case for a secular state.

[Secondmouse]

The monks should be busy on Friday. Right then, I think I'll just go down to Pantip and browse porn DVDs.

"Daaaad........what are DVD's...?"....

[Gerald14]

Bring it on, my house bar is full....so I will survive one day.

[Payboy]

The monks should be busy on Friday. Right then, I think I'll just go down to Pantip and browse porn DVDs.

"Daaaad........what are DVD's...?"....

Hush sonny, they're just an antidote for daddy's overdose on the blue pills.

[salapau]

What utter nonsense. Not all Thai's are Budhists so why does the goverment continue these antiquated ideas to ban alcohol sales on Budhist religious days, they're blinkered to the needs and rights of people of other religious beliefs and turn a blind eye to the monks who flout the rules they swore to abide by. I'm athiest as I won't be governed by any religion because none of them accept the views of the others. No alcohol sales is a peverse reflection on people's civil rights, whatever country you may choose to live in. However it never works, watch the population and tourists in the bars and restaurants, some of whom blatantly drink as normal, others who drink beer, wine and spirits from coffee mugs hiding the bottles on the floor.

[RogueLeader]

The monks should be busy on Friday. Right then, I think I'll just go down to Pantip and browse porn DVDs.

Yes, you probably will......

Ooh, I know this game! Is it 'Seize the moral high ground by pretending I'm the only man in the world who's never looked at porn'?

Can I play?

[RogueLeader]

What utter nonsense. Not all Thai's are Budhists so why does the goverment continue these antiquated ideas to ban alcohol sales on Budhist religious days, they're blinkered to the needs and rights of people of other religious beliefs and turn a blind eye to the monks who flout the rules they swore to abide by. I'm athiest as I won't be governed by any religion because none of them accept the views of the others. No alcohol sales is a peverse reflection on people's civil rights, whatever country you may choose to live in. However it never works, watch the population and tourists in the bars and restaurants, some of whom blatantly drink as normal, others who drink beer, wine and spirits from coffee mugs hiding the bottles on the floor.

Yes. Whenever prohibition collides with demand, a black market appears. Go to Burma and change money to see it in action. But we know this, so why does everyone insist on getting so worked up about it?

[poohy]

Oh really!!

lets see what happens at the shops in my wife's soi in Phra Padeang.

I am the only non Thai and non Buddhist (apart from one old entertaining Maylasian Indian guy) when I stay there, one wonders if the shops will not sell alcohol on this auspicious day ........actually utter B******ks) I know the answer, business usual.

or If I choose I can go to my home in rural Langsuan and know for sure they will sell beer there!

to be honest it only affects 7 elven stores and other law abiding chains, and bars catering for foreigners, no Thai person is inconvenienced

Thailand Hub of Hypocrisy!

[Spoonman]

Another aspect of Thai " culture " that is spelt hypocracy. Bars are not allowed to advertise various alcoholic drinks if near a school yet beer companies sponsors major sporting and general events and their logos are everywhere.

Chang and Singha are advertising their water, there is a reason why they sell it.

Note to self, buy a few slabs on Thursday.

Edited May 21, 2013 by Spoonman

[Secondmouse]

What utter nonsense. Not all Thai's are Budhists so why does the goverment continue these antiquated ideas to ban alcohol sales on Budhist religious days, they're blinkered to the needs and rights of people of other religious beliefs and turn a blind eye to the monks who flout the rules they swore to abide by. I'm athiest as I won't be governed by any religion because none of them accept the views of the others. No alcohol sales is a peverse reflection on people's civil rights, whatever country you may choose to live in. However it never works, watch the population and tourists in the bars and restaurants, some of whom blatantly drink as normal, others who drink beer, wine and spirits from coffee mugs hiding the bottles on the floor.

Agree.....it's as pointless as the continual honking of the vehicle horns up and down Patong Hill as they pass by the temple....scared me sh***ess when I first went up and down there on my rental...thought I was doing something wrong till it was explained to me why.....I'm sure there weren't horns around in Buddha's younger days..I'm sure a respectful nod or wave of the hand would just as blessed...

[chainarong]

Who makes these rules?

If you are a Budhist then enjoy your day and don't drink alcohol.

If you aren't then enjoy your day as you would normally.

For myself May 24th is my birthday so will not be able to celebrate the same.

I am not young so haven't many years left now so thank you Thailand.

This sounds like me , My birthday 2, Queen Victoria was not amused by my arrival.

[GeorgeO]

But if Thais truly are Buddhist followers, then there is clearly no need to apply such bans, as these devout followers will abstain voluntarily.

In the meantime non-Buddhists can go about their daily grind, and finish it off with a beer, without bothering anybody!

[rubl]

I seem to remember an article on this forum saying that Alcohol would be banned/restricted in areas of Bangkok for Songkran (Such as Silom and Khaosan)... Believe me, that never happened!

Will these things be enforced? Is it just Phuket, or will other parts of Thailand observe this?

The main religious holidays have seen a stricter enforcement of 'no alcohol' here in Bangkok. Some mom&pop shops may not even sell you a bottle in a brown paper bag after midnight or before 6PM. I expect the 'entertainment' places around Silom and Sukhumvit to be closed for a day.

So be it

[BarryM]

I guess the big hotels will still have booze. Last year had to change dining crnue to a ghastly conference hotel complex in Pattaya rather than Mata Har.

[autolover]

The monks should be busy on Friday. Right then, I think I'll just go down to Pantip and browse porn DVDs.

"Daaaad........what are DVD's...?"....

Porn VDOs are easily to be viewed on internet. Why would take difficulty to find them for?

Anyway guys, the 5 rules I mentioned Buddish religion not forced you to follow these rules. When we Thais have ceremony at temple, monks will pray and speak these common rules to listeners to repeat the words to act the rules, but not most people can follow all rules as city life being not easy to do so.

Selling alcohol on important monk days is illegally as Pub and Bar owners usually know this law(as police who comes around to pick up money warn them ) I have been to a pub many years ago on a Visakha day. They still sell alcohol but filled in a Sprite bottle!! LoL

[khaowong1]

There are 5 common rules that Lord Buddha announced for Buddhists to follow;

1.No killing to any live creatures.

2.No stealing

3.No commit adultery

4.No lying.

5.No drinking alcohol.

(And 227 rules for monks!!!)

Anyway, Visakha is the most important day for Buddhisms which is not good to say a joke.

This is the world, not sri lanka.. you can tell any joke you want. You have my permission. Vsakha Bucha day is for Buddhists. I'm betting the Buddha would like a good joke. Besides the fact, he is dead.. What did the Lord Buddha say to the hot dog salesman.. Make me one with everything.

[GrantSmith]

I seem to remember an article on this forum saying that Alcohol would be banned/restricted in areas of Bangkok for Songkran (Such as Silom and Khaosan)... Believe me, that never happened!

Will these things be enforced? Is it just Phuket, or will other parts of Thailand observe this?

The main religious holidays have seen a stricter enforcement of 'no alcohol' here in Bangkok. Some mom&pop shops may not even sell you a bottle in a brown paper bag after midnight or before 6PM. I expect the 'entertainment' places around Silom and Sukhumvit to be closed for a day.

So be it:wai:

Nothing's been mentioned in either The Nation or The Paper we Dare Not Mention by Name about an alcohol ban on Friday for Bangkok so hopefully we'll be spared...

[wilgoster]

My liver thanks Buddha and wonders clandestinely, "What's all the bile about?"

[DocN]

Okay...so I will have my beer from a plastic- cup on Patpong!

Who gives a sh1t?

[DRONGOH]

On a related story .. alcohol sales are expected to increase on the 23rd

Even better, the fridges are already full.

[DocN]

There are 5 common rules that Lord Buddha announced for Buddhists to follow;

1.No killing to any live creatures.

2.No stealing

3.No commit adultery

4.No lying.

5.No drinking alcohol.

(And 227 rules for monks!!!)

Anyway, Visakha is the most important day for Buddhisms which is not good to say a joke.

Oh it is good to make a joke.

Because if all (you?) Thais are so much following Buddha...why do you need a ban on alcohol?

Shouldn't that be a totally normal thing to do?

[negreanu]

God bless upstairs in Villa Market on a day such as this...

Happy Visakha day Villa....

Edited May 22, 2013 by negreanu