Tonight is the second weekend in March that we have an alcohol ban in Thailand due to senatorial elections.

And last night was dry as a countrywide alcohol ban was in force from 6pm. Tonight (Sunday) most venues will not be serving alcohol, it's prohibited until midnight.

- How are bars, restaurants and hotels coping with this?

- What does the tourists think?

- Does Thailand have it's fair share of alcoholic expats? 50% of us are alcoholics? 30%? 90%?

Or is this actually a very healthy thing, a good thing, staying away from alcohol now and then?

What's your take?

Neighbor bar and I are open, neighbor is Mia noi with high police.

I think it is stupid to close the tourist joints; they have no interest in elections.

Here in Cambodia, election days are also dry but they let us serve tourists (I work in a hotel). The whole thing is a joke anyway, just like the ban on selling alcohol before 11am and between 14:00 and 17:00, there are so many ways to get around it.

Difficulty in obtaining alcohol, seems troubling to some Thai Visa members. I am not sure why. Home brew, is easy to make if you find alcohol to be a life staple.

Democracy must be saved whether the people want it or not - what an oxymoron. It seems to only affect the big name stores ... Big C, Tesco and the like ... I have found some 7-11's still selling liquors... And all over - I have seen for myself ... go down any soi - pick up whatever beer you want - regardless of temporary ban or not. Don't know about bars and clubs ... will have to check it out.

just complete idiotic.....

There won't be any difference in the result if alcohol is banned or not. Someone who wouldn't drink, still won't drink.

Someone who want to drink has stock....

So the law only helps the police collecting tea money.

Many "tourist" bars in Bangkok were open as normal last night.

Don't care, don't like alcohol and I think it turns people into instant morons.

If alcohol was banned forever I wouldn't care one bit.

Oh the humanity!

Don't care, don't like alcohol and I think it turns people into instant morons.

If alcohol was banned forever I wouldn't care one bit.

You obviously haven't met me yet............ ..............

Oh, and just bought my beer............

I thought it was only banned until 6 pm.

I thought it was only banned until 6 pm.

Up to individual police districts.

In Nong Khai ban until 3pm

Cambodia is obviously smart in allowing tourist to have a beer or wine while they are on vacation and elections have nothing to do with them. A smart government would apply the law to THAIS only and have the police patrol the bars looking for Thais who are drinking and enforce their law that way.

Its especially stupid here in thailand because every time they have an election its voided by the courts and have to start over yet again and have yet more elections and more closings of bars it think its been like 6 days so far in 2 months maybe more

ALL in ALL fkin ridiculous but then again not much makes sense in this country.

If you cannot get a beer today you are, I hate to say it an idiot. If you require entertainment with your beer maybe you will have a problem, but if you think you cannot carry on as usual you must live in a very strange world.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I think it's a very stupid ide...

Are the afraid peoples will not come to vote, or why they ban alcohol.

However this ban don't have much effect, all the small shops are selling whisky and beers anyway.

Don't care, don't like alcohol and I think it turns people into instant morons.

If alcohol was banned forever I wouldn't care one bit.

Well, it isn't and you sound like a lot of fun.....

I don't want to but I have to. Went to the ma pa shop for a beer, joked about being arrested. Reply was that we would have to drag the BIB away from their drinking table to do it.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Don't care, don't like alcohol and I think it turns people into instant morons.

If alcohol was banned forever I wouldn't care one bit.

Well, it isn't and you sound like a lot of fun.....

Oh, right, almost forgot; we NEED alcohol for people to have fun!

Because having fun without alcohol is completely impossible; just ask any small kids, they look miserable playing outside, sober.

Live on Koh Phangan for a few years then tell me again how alcohol is a good thing.

As a non drinker I have to say that I find these these alcohol bans to be absolutely ridiculous.

Deaw, just because you don't have any fun there is no need to wish your choices on other people.

I bet you're ine of these do gooders who constantly complain about smokers and agree with the ludricous ban on Mary Jane.

Deaw, just because you don't have any fun

WHERE ON EARTH DID I SAY THAT?

I just don't need some downer to allow me to have fun. If other people do, I feel kinda bad for them, really.

I have as much fun as the next guy, I just don't need some alcoholic beverage to do so.....if some people do, talk about a crutch.

Cambodia is obviously smart in allowing tourist to have a beer or wine while they are on vacation and elections have nothing to do with them. A smart government would apply the law to THAIS only and have the police patrol the bars looking for Thais who are drinking and enforce their law.:

People spend all their time on Thai visa bitching about being discriminated against, yet here someone is arguing for it. I guess when there is self interest involved, it become okay...

Thank goodness I'm not Thai. I would need to be drunk for any of their politicians. Disenfranchised by an alcohol ban hehe

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

i went to big C and they passed my 2 beers through the registers... (11-2pm ok curfew)...so i don't know what's going on... hmm i guess everyone is so stuck to the elections they forgot?

What are they worried about, crossing the wrong box!

Where I am the bars can re-open at 6pm - I thought this was standard.

totster

In my experience, those most opposed to any control of the sale of booze, are those who make money from its sale and those who do not unerstand or practice moderation.

It is sometimes good to go without something, as then its more appreciated by those doing without as well as those subjected to the antics of those who over indulge on a regular basis. In my daily contacts, the only complainingt I hear is from those owning the establishments, Thaivisa contributors, do not appear to follow this pattern???

Interesting when some districts had to close their polling stations. The ban was still enforced. I think if can't vote then can drink.

Deaw, just because you don't have any fun

WHERE ON EARTH DID I SAY THAT?

I just don't need some downer to allow me to have fun. If other people do, I feel kinda bad for them, really.

I have as much fun as the next guy, I just don't need some alcoholic beverage to do so.....if some people do, talk about a crutch.

I have fun reading a book, I have fun watching birds (the feathered kind), I have fun having a nice meal, and I have fun drinking a cold beer. All crutches? All to be banned?

What does the tourists think?

That drinking alcohol in a teacup/mug while in a bar is an experience.