Military exempts Full Moon Party on Koh Pha Ngan from curfew

[webfact]

Military Exempts Full Moon Party From Curfew
By Khaosod English

BANGKOK — The military junta has agreed to exempt this month’s Full Moon Party on Koh Pha Ngan Island from the nationwide curfew, so that revelers can party from dusk until dawn as is tradition.

In an announcement issued today by the military command in Surat Thani province, the military said a "thorough questioning" has established that the Full Moon Party "has no connection to politics, demonstrations, or violation of previous announcements by the National Council of Peace and Order in any way."

Therefore, the military has agreed to lift the curfew over Haad Rin Beach on Koh Pha Ngan island, where the dusk-till-dawn party will be held from 9-13 June, as requested by the party's organisers.

It is understood that the rest of Koh Pha Ngan island will remain under the military’s midnight to 4am curfew.

The announcement makes Haad Rin Beach the fourth tourist destination in Thailand to enjoy curfew exemption, after the military lifted the curfew on Pattaya, Phuket, and Samui island two days ago.

Representatives of the tourist industry have been pressing the NCPO to lift the curfew in other major tourist destinations, citing the financial ruin the curfew has brought upon bars and nightclubs who have already suffered through a weak tourist season because of the country’s political turmoil.

It is estimated that the Thailand's political crisis, which ignited last November, has cost the the tourism industry over 20 billion baht.

The NCPO imposed a 10pm-5am curfew over the entire country when it seized power from the elected government on 22 May, but later eased the forbidden hours to between 12pm and 4am The military has argued that the curfew is necessary to maintain peace and order following the sporadic violence that left almost 30 day over the course of six months.

Despite pleass from the tourist industry, a spokesperson of the NCPO said the nationwide curfew will not be entirely lifted any time soon.

Army spokesperson Col. Winthai Suwaree explained that army's security and intelligence units will lift the curfew on a case-by-case basis, depending on which areas have seen a restoration of peace and order.

"It depends on the peace and order. Incidents of unrest may be lurkingso we need to deliberate carefully over all aspects," Col. Winthai said at a press conference today.

When asked whether the NCPO will consider lifting the curfew in time for the beginning of FIFA World Cup on 12 June, Col. Winthai replied that the matter is still under deliberation, and indicated that the junta has no plan to repeal the curfew specifically for the football season.

Football is extremely popular in Thailand, and World Cup matches typically bring huge crowds to restaurants and bars across the country.

This year's FIFA World Cup will kick off in Brazil on 12 June.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1401965177


-- Khaosod English 2014-06-05

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[terryp]

eee's are good ......looks like the great unwashed have more sway than the average tourist in say ..CM, CR, HY ,HH, Krabi, I could go on but why bother its idiotic

[AngThong]

It is understood that the rest of Koh Pha Ngan island will remain under the military’s midnight to 4am curfew.

Good. With the island's Mycologist Merlins still in uproar over perceived shortage of Panaeolus cambodginiensis, we need the battalions on our streets.

[edwardandtubs]

It is understood that the rest of Koh Pha Ngan island will remain under the military’s midnight to 4am curfew.

Good. With the island's Mycologist Merlins still in uproar over perceived shortage of Panaeolus cambodginiensis, we need the battalions on our streets.

I know for a fact that EVERYONE is in bed all over Koh Phangan from the stroke of midnight. Such law-abiding folk.

[samuijimmy]

It is understood that the rest of Koh Pha Ngan island will remain under the military’s midnight to 4am curfew.

Good. With the island's Mycologist Merlins still in uproar over perceived shortage of Panaeolus cambodginiensis, we need the battalions on our streets.

Just hope they don't keep you up at night while they are marching battalions are on the streets....or in the jungle ........ looking for mushrooms! ....

Edited June 5, 2014 by samuijimmy

[oneday]

No, no , no, please make the curfew stronger here!

[bronco10250]

It's all about money, right.... now more than ever!

[Ulic]

Common sense is rarely common, but the Thai Junta seems to have it.

[hanno]

Now if there was on thing that needed a curfew.....

[oldsailor35]

eee's are good ......looks like the great unwashed have more sway than the average tourist in say ..CM, CR, HY ,HH, Krabi, I could go on but why bother its idiotic

Don't you worry about that ! Money buys everything here !

[VINCENT2012]

i think the actual military government make the right thing on putting visitors out of the thai politic dificulties and letting them having a normal good holiday time

[HooHaa]

Now if there was on thing that needed a curfew.....

experienced it have you?

[JoeLing]

Curfew on Koh Phangan
The curse of a few (especially for those who get the munchies) but not for all.

[Tomtomtom69]

Let me get this straight, drug fuelled, binge drinking revellers can party and get wasted all night long, but ordinary folks on the same island have to stay indoors? Ha! Anyway, isn't the whole Ko Phangan island just one big party anyway?

[AngThong]

Let me get this straight, drug fuelled, binge drinking revellers can party and get wasted all night long, but ordinary folks on the same island have to stay indoors? Ha! Anyway, isn't the whole Ko Phangan island just one big party anyway?

Yes it is! Party non-stop 24/7 on every single one of the 25 or so beaches, not to mention all the jungle in between. You can feel the entire island shaking from dancing feet after midnight; some fear it might sink one day from too many revellers.

[samuijimmy]

Let me get this straight, drug fuelled, binge drinking revellers can party and get wasted all night long, but ordinary folks on the same island have to stay indoors? Ha! Anyway, isn't the whole Ko Phangan island just one big party anyway?

NO!.... it's not......

[Jonmarleesco]

Are they planning to exempt the carrying of weapons, as well as drug taking, I wonder?

[outsider]

Nice. Good to know the military is in touch with reality.

[JoeLing]

Let me get this straight, drug fuelled, binge drinking revellers can party and get wasted all night long, but ordinary folks on the same island have to stay indoors? Ha! Anyway, isn't the whole Ko Phangan island just one big party anyway?

Yes it is! Party non-stop 24/7 on every single one of the 25 or so beaches, not to mention all the jungle in between. You can feel the entire island shaking from dancing feet after midnight; some fear it might sink one day from too many revellers.

.

Well, I haven't seen a party for months on the beach I live ;-)

[AngThong]

Yes it is! Party non-stop 24/7 on every single one of the 25 or so beaches, not to mention all the jungle in between. You can feel the entire island shaking from dancing feet after midnight; some fear it might sink one day from too many revellers.

.

Well, I haven't seen a party for months on the beach I live ;-)

Well my friend, time to invest in a good pair of specs and a hearing aid

[JoeLing]

Yes it is! Party non-stop 24/7 on every single one of the 25 or so beaches, not to mention all the jungle in between. You can feel the entire island shaking from dancing feet after midnight; some fear it might sink one day from too many revellers.

.

Well, I haven't seen a party for months on the beach I live ;-)

Well my friend, time to invest in a good pair of specs and a hearing aid

Sorry mate, didn't know you had a party

I must have been "away"

[max72]

Since in Samui curfew has been lifted already, it would be nice to have it lifted in other islands like Koh Tao and Koh Pangan, I don't think these islands pose a greater threat to the security than Samui or Pattaya.

Just my 2 cents.

[MAGS75]

Yeah Koh Phangan curfew lifted ,@ 7.30.pm Sunday 8th of June

[evadgib]

...if this weather keeps up I foresee major probs for small craft trying to make the crossing tonight.