Don't drink and drive- New strict rulings!

[webfact]

Don't drink and drive- New strict rulings!



HUA HIN: -- The Office of Alcoholic Beverages has announced that the occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are subject to six months imprisonment and/or a 60,000 THB fine.

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. 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.

Some Other Alcohol Rules In Thailand
Since January 1st 2006 Thailand has enforced a law that only allows shops to sell alcohol between 11.00 am.- 2.00 pm. and 5.00 pm.- 2.00 am.

Staff at some stores have difficulty in explaining to foreigners why they cannot be sold alcohol between 2 and 5 PM. Angry outbursts by customers who think they are being singled out are not uncommon. However remember it’s not up to them; it’s the law!

The Election Commission of Thailand bans the sale of alcohol at any retail outlet, and the serving of alcohol in all bars and restaurants during elections. This ban only applies to so-called Type 3 and Type 4 sellers, those who are licensed to sell liquor and spirits in quantities below 10 litres per occasion. Retail shops such as 7-Elevens and Big C supermarkets are put in the same position as wholesalers (being Type 1 and Type 2 sellers) and can only sell in quantities above 10 litres.

The reason given in the text of the relevant Ministerial Regulation is to enhance ''the government's policies towards controlling the consumption of liquor and tobacco for the benefit of society, in the case of liquor by decreasing the times for retail liquor sales''. Yet the choice of the hours of 2pm to 5pm must have had a more specific purpose than that. One popular school of thought is that it is designed to help prevent underage drinking. Classes typically finish for the day by 2pm, and the theory is that wayward students might then run to the nearest 7-Eleven and start drinking. Yet the ban is in place seven days a week.

Another reason for the ban may simply be that the government is trying to curb all-day ''benders'', or afternoon drinking by people who might be inclined to play hookie from work after lunch with their colleagues.

Legal Drinking Age and Alcohol-Free Zones
Thailand introduced the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act in 2008 , which amended some of Thailand’s previous alcohol laws and increased the drinking age from eighteen to twenty. The Act has specific language making it illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under twenty years old. The Act also set forth laws and penalties for designated areas where alcohol cannot legally be consumed. For example, drinking alcohol is illegal in the following locations: temples or places of worship; infirmaries and pharmacies; public offices; education institutions; petrol stations or petrol station shops and public parks. There are exceptions to many of these locations. For example, if you are attending an authorized banquet at an education institution or public office, or if you are within a temple at which consuming alcohol is part of the worship, then you may legally drink an alcoholic beverage. The penalty for drinking alcohol and one of the aforementioned locations without proper authorization is up to 6 months imprisonment and/or no more than a fine of ten thousand baht.

Selling alcohol to anyone who has previously lost consciousness from drinking is also against the law in Thailand. Additionally, if you are considered intoxicated and provoke an altercation with a law enforcement official, the penalty can be up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine up to twenty thousand THB.


-- Hua Hin Today 2013-11-27

[Teddybearbkk]

Passengers of railbased transport who drink are not subject to the penalties. 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.

Ok does that mean when i get drunk i need to take the train to get home? Does that mean i cant take a taxi?

[Redhawk]

They are getting of the railroad, I never saw a government like this in my fiftyone years on this planet. This is called dictatorship and the lawmakers still consuming their wine in their offices and the officials will drink on during work hours. A two.faced society who is lying to themselves, in Thailand we do not like this, we do not do like that and then they go home and beat their wives to death. Tobacco and alcohol sells well in Thailand and it always sells best were people aren't satisfied or living in poverty because the rich keep their cake. The government make their cut by taxes and penalties besides the companies, who are in one or another way connected with the parliament and on TV they want to make you believe they are so caring about the people and so pure in heart when pixeling a cigarette and liquor glass, what a joke and a lot of the population believe that crap.

[MadMac]

Just bubbles. Smokescreen. To not address any real problems. Who drinks when driving anyway? Idiots who should be caught.

[Pomthai]

Yes but this means gone are the days of me and a mate sitting in the back of the truck downing a few on the way out or way home while the missus drives and chats away up front with his missus.

[Johnnie99]

Strict new rules! Excellent - that will certainly solve the problem. Thank goodness!

[jmccarty]

"Selling alcohol to anyone who has previously lost consciousness from drinking is also against the law in Thailand."

No cheating now, be honest when the store clerk asks! Have you ever?

[thhMan]

HUA HIN: -- The Office of Alcoholic Beverages has announced that the occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol during travel are subject to six months imprisonment and/or a 60,000 THB fine.

That just ruled out the purpose of Taxis and other paid transport (except for trains)... Its kind of a moronic rule/statement

[pattayaronbo]

So just do not drink on the way home on a motorcy taxi or taxi..... and do not drive yourself if drunk.... Take a Taxi. so much cheaper...

[terryp]

and this was passed into law where and when?...just more made up garbage

[khunPer]

As I read it, it talks about drinking while driving in any kind of vehicle, except trains – not a word about being intoxicated and then driving or a sober driver bringing mao mak passengers home.
Conclusion: Drink frist, then drive – don't drink more before at front of your home.

[upena]

old "news" and only selectively enforced

[Gsxrnz]

So just do not drink on the way home on a motorcy taxi or taxi..... and do not drive yourself if drunk.... Take a Taxi. so much cheaper...

Yeah, good advice provided the <deleted> taxi guy hasn't been drinking. In Patts there's a fairly good chance that your taxi driver/rider has had a few bevvies of an evening.

[richard_smith237]

People are tripping over themselves to criticise Thailand when this very same regulation exists in many of our home countries...

Its simple... The 'occupants' (passengers) are not permitted to be drinking in a vehicle unless parked up on private land, the driver takes equal responsibility in letting his passengers drink while in the vehicle in public. Trains are not included in this regulation.

If I am not mistaken the law is even more strict in some countries which states that its illegal to have 'open' liqueur in a moving vehicle... i.e. a bottle of Whisky or wine that has been opened, but since sealed.... (US I think).

That said: These regulations are a little over the top.

I'm a strong believer in if people wish to drink let them, give people enough rope to hang themselves... i.e. If people make a nuisance of themselves impose strict and inflexible penalties for antisocial behaviour.

[12DrinkMore]

Selling alcohol to anyone who has previously lost consciousness from drinking is also against the law in Thailand

[recycler]

So the trains will keep derailing...

[alphaflight]

Passengers of railbased transport who drink are not subject to the penalties. 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. And of course, if the occupants and drivers are from first class families, or heirs to large brand-name companies, also anyone who is employed by a government agency (none of the above rules apply)!

[mushroomdave]

and this was passed into law where and when?...just more made up garbage

I agree, GARBAGE !!! .......... A passenger just having 1 drink and go to jail for 6 months????......"and/or a 60,000 THB Fine"....... hilarious !!!!!! lol lo lol ........

[gp2002]

Maybe if they allowed people to drink during elections they just might vote for the right political party.

The bars and night clubs obviously don't check ID because many of my international school students are partying it up on the weekends.

Can't buy alcohol at a store between 2 & 5 pm but you can sit at a bar and get hammered.

And here I thought Canadian liquor laws were ridiculous.

[mushroomdave]

People are tripping over themselves to criticise Thailand when this very same regulation exists in many of our home countries...

Its simple... The 'occupants' (passengers) are not permitted to be drinking in a vehicle unless parked up on private land, the driver takes equal responsibility in letting his passengers drink while in the vehicle in public. Trains are not included in this regulation.

If I am not mistaken the law is even more strict in some countries which states that its illegal to have 'open' liqueur in a moving vehicle... i.e. a bottle of Whisky or wine that has been opened, but since sealed.... (US I think).

That said: These regulations are a little over the top.

I'm a strong believer in if people wish to drink let them, give people enough rope to hang themselves... i.e. If people make a nuisance of themselves impose strict and inflexible penalties for antisocial behaviour.

Yes open liquor/container in a vehicle in Canada (my province Ontario and most others also) is a small fine and the police make you empty the rest on the side of the road..........LET'S GET REAL HERE.........."6 MONTHS JAIL TIME AND/OR 60,000 THB Fine" for an open beer??????.........I am sure some embassies would take an interest in their people being locked up for that..........I thought April 1st was a while away !!!!!!!

[JulesMad]

I never drink and drive. I always drink before...

[rotary]

Sounds like a very complicated solution that will be hard to enforce and in the end no attention will be given to it anyway

[alphaflight]

By the way; you're going to need a hell of a lot more prisons; or...................wait for it; "We have decided we need to free all of those found guilty of political crimes; to make room in or prisons, for those found guilty of alcohol related offenses".

[mrfill]

"i.e. If people make a nuisance of themselves impose strict and inflexible penalties for antisocial behaviour."

Like, you WILL pay 100Bt for driving while drunk or else.....

[Briggsy]

Thais like to copy laws from developed nations and then having got them on the statute books, simply not enforce them. It's a pattern one sees over and over again.

Minister needs to put the fear of God into senior civil servants and demands tough new proposals within a tight deadline. Civil servants fear getting canned so copy the toughest laws they can find from other nations. These proposals sometimes end up on the statute books. Nobody at any point thought about the practicalities of enforcement. And repeat.

(Or not in this case. Minister needs laws which inconvenience business or the public massively, leading to great bribe opportunities.)

[ronrat]

So a minibus coming back from playing golf to Pattaya or Bangkok with half a dozen blokes in the back seats swigging on a beer gives the BIB a field day. Worse than Sharia law.

[easybullet3]

How about passengers in a taxi? (because obviously they are not driving... the taxi driver is driving).

but,, this is a fantastic way for police to make some real money now !!!

imagine all the back-hander money you need to pay to get out of a 6 month jail sentence or a 60,000 baht fine...

"give me 2,000 baht and i wont bring you to the police station".

the police must be super excited at the money-making potential in this new scheme!!! Lol

[godden]

people with no legs are not to be sold alcohol it was announced today.

[phitsanulokjohn]

Gonna need to build a lot of new jails then.

[Emdog]

Seems to me to be a method to throw a wider net. Why settle for bribe from driver when you can get the whole car at the same time? Maximizing that income