Phuket: No booze ban on December 5
Tanyaluk Sakoot



PHUKET: -- There will be no ban on alcohol on December 5 – HM the King’s birthday, it has been announced.

The Phuket News this morning contacted Phuket police commander Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit who said that he had received no notification from the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok but added that, looking at previous years, an alcohol ban was unlikely.

In Bangkok, however, a spokesman for the Royal Thai Police confirmed that he had spoken with the Police Strategy Unit which had decided there would be no booze ban on December 5, nor even any “request” to shops, bars, restaurants and wholesalers not to sell alcohol on the day.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/no-booze-ban-on-december-5-49934.php


-- Phuket News 2014-12-02

Common sense prevails. An opportunity for the Thais and others to toast His Majesty on the occasion of his birthday. Long may he reign.

Somehow, I just don't believe it.

I can't remember a single King's Birthday that all bars in Phuket were allowed to stay open.

I do hope I'm wrong.

Common sense prevails. An opportunity for the Thais and others to toast His Majesty on the occasion of his birthday. Long may he reign.

edited ....in addition to the 364 other days....

No one listens to bans. Why should we listen to a no ban?

The Phuket News this morning contacted Phuket police commander Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit who said that he had received no notification from the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok but added that, looking at previous years, an alcohol ban was unlikely.

In Bangkok, however, a spokesman for the Royal Thai Police confirmed that he had spoken with the Police Strategy Unit which had decided there would be no booze ban on December 5, nor even any “request” to shops, bars, restaurants and wholesalers not to sell alcohol on the day.

Still plenty of space left for 'misunderstandings'. The quoted part could be read as the 'no ban' applying to Bangkok, it does not specifically state that it also applies to Phuket.

Let's see what the headlines are saying on Saturday.

That's black Friday for the mom & pop shops!

Do the right thing....

Go out the night before, and/or, stock some beer in the fridge..

Cheap Charlies !!!

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Anyways, one day without a beer is not going to kill you. Go for a nice overnight holiday somewhere.

This happened before for the Queen's birthday. In Phuket there was officially no ban on the sale of alcohol but any shops or bars that sold booze were highly frowned upon and that is generally sufficient to have the police giving you a very hard time for a while. Closing shows respect, especially if they don't have to close. When the bars are ordered to close they are merely following orders and not necessarily showing respect. I would strongly recommend that bars consider closing on that day and individuals who wish to drink, stock up earlier.

The Phuket News this morning contacted Phuket police commander Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit who said that he had received no notification from the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok but added that, looking at previous years, an alcohol ban was unlikely.

In Bangkok, however, a spokesman for the Royal Thai Police confirmed that he had spoken with the Police Strategy Unit which had decided there would be no booze ban on December 5, nor even any “request” to shops, bars, restaurants and wholesalers not to sell alcohol on the day.

Still plenty of space left for 'misunderstandings'. The quoted part could be read as the 'no ban' applying to Bangkok, it does not specifically state that it also applies to Phuket.

Let's see what the headlines are saying on Saturday.

Look at the whole article and it is clear what is meant. No booze ban nor request not to sell.

I strongly suspect most bars will close on the 5th, as in previous years.

I strongly suspect most bars will close on the 5th, as in previous years.

And I strongly suspect that the bar stewards of Bangla would not give up any opportunity

to make a fast buck or two from unsuspecting tourists and expats alike.

I strongly suspect most bars will close on the 5th, as in previous years.

And I strongly suspect that the bar stewards of Bangla would not give up any opportunity

to make a fast buck or two from unsuspecting tourists and expats alike.

I am a Bangla Road "bar steward" jock, and although closing for a day represents a serious loss of revenue during High Season, I am prepared to show some respect if that's what is expected.

Incidentally, not all of us "make a fast buck from unsuspecting tourists..." !

I strongly suspect most bars will close on the 5th, as in previous years.

And I strongly suspect that the bar stewards of Bangla would not give up any opportunity

to make a fast buck or two from unsuspecting tourists and expats alike.

I am a Bangla Road "bar steward" jock, and although closing for a day represents a serious loss of revenue during High Season, I am prepared to show some respect if that's what is expected.

Incidentally, not all of us "make a fast buck from unsuspecting tourists..." !

Unfortunately jimbo imo the vast majority of the Bangla bars are out "to make a fast buck from unsuspecting

tourists "

So you are " prepared to show some respect if that's what is expected " so you would show respect because

you think that is what is expected of you not because you genuinely feel respect, how sincere are you?

I strongly suspect most bars will close on the 5th, as in previous years.

And I strongly suspect that the bar stewards of Bangla would not give up any opportunity

to make a fast buck or two from unsuspecting tourists and expats alike.

I am a Bangla Road "bar steward" jock, and although closing for a day represents a serious loss of revenue during High Season, I am prepared to show some respect if that's what is expected.

Incidentally, not all of us "make a fast buck from unsuspecting tourists..." !

Unfortunately jimbo imo the vast majority of the Bangla bars are out "to make a fast buck from unsuspecting

tourists "

So you are " prepared to show some respect if that's what is expected " so you would show respect because

you think that is what is expected of you not because you genuinely feel respect, how sincere are you?

Oh, don't get me wrong Jock, i'd much rather open if i can. I've lost too many days this year due to curfew restrictions, Big Buddha days, Mother's Day etc etc to really afford to close. But if the general consensus is that Bangla should close up, i'm not going to fly in the face of popular custom. Its not my country, after all.

Incidentally, i agree with your comment about "the vast majority of Bangla Bars" out to make a rip-off baht. I pride myself in offering genuine entertainment and value for money. Nothing pleases me more than seeing a bar full of happy people enjoying a good night out. And it pisses me off mightily at the touts and ping-pong bars ripping off the tourists.

And I strongly suspect that the bar stewards of Bangla would not give up any opportunity

to make a fast buck or two from unsuspecting tourists and expats alike.

I am a Bangla Road "bar steward" jock, and although closing for a day represents a serious loss of revenue during High Season, I am prepared to show some respect if that's what is expected.

Incidentally, not all of us "make a fast buck from unsuspecting tourists..." !

Unfortunately jimbo imo the vast majority of the Bangla bars are out "to make a fast buck from unsuspecting

tourists "

So you are " prepared to show some respect if that's what is expected " so you would show respect because

you think that is what is expected of you not because you genuinely feel respect, how sincere are you?

Oh, don't get me wrong Jock, i'd much rather open if i can. I've lost too many days this year due to curfew restrictions, Big Buddha days, Mother's Day etc etc to really afford to close. But if the general consensus is that Bangla should close up, i'm not going to fly in the face of popular custom. Its not my country, after all.

Incidentally, i agree with your comment about "the vast majority of Bangla Bars" out to make a rip-off baht. I pride myself in offering genuine entertainment and value for money. Nothing pleases me more than seeing a bar full of happy people enjoying a good night out. And it pisses me off mightily at the touts and ping-pong bars ripping off the tourists.

OK jimbo tell me roughly where on Bangla your bar is, soi etc, and tell me how much you charge for

A/ a beer B/ a short with mixer C/ ladies drink and D/ bar fine and I will judge for myself if you

are ripping people off or not????? Don't be shy Jimbo

@ Jock

underneath Bangla House Hotel, opposite the old Tiger Complex

Beer: 110 Bt

Short with mixer 160

Ladydrink 150

Barfine 500

The Phuket Gazette is telling a different story (barowners called to honor father's day booze ban), but the site is not working at the moment so can't link.

The Phuket Gazette is telling a different story (barowners called to honor father's day booze ban), but the site is not working at the moment so can't link.

The site's up now and, as expected, bars will be closed on Bangla on friday night.

Comical really. Yes stay open. But no best keep closed. Or else!

Let's see what the headlines are saying on Saturday.

Look at the whole article and it is clear what is meant. No booze ban nor request not to sell.

-- Phuket Gazette December 4, 2014

Vice Governor Somkiet told the Phuket Gazette...

I have signed an official request for all alcohol venues not to serve alcohol from Friday night through sunrise Saturday morning, he confirmed.

Oh well, 'Twas nice while it lasted.

Thailand, the hub of u-turns, both on the road and in Government offices.