Booze ban in Thailand to be arbitrarily enforced during 6-month 'study'

[webfact]

Booze Ban to be Arbitrarily Enforced During 6-month 'Study'
By Khaosod English


Police officers raid a bar close to a university in northern metropolitan Bangkok in a file photo from 22 March, 2013.

BANGKOK — Thailand will go back to the drawing board with its unilateral ban on sales of alcohol near schools, while leaving it on the books as vaguely written for selective enforcement based on the “judgment” of law enforcement officers.

Two weeks after the military government issued two confusing orders – one banning sales within 300 meters of some schools and universities and a second prohibiting all sales "in the vicinity” of all school property, a deputy prime minister said a committee will spend six months deliberating what “vicinity” means.

“There is still a point that we have to define, which is the word ‘vicinity,” Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong said today. “What does that mean? The committee is collecting opinions from relevant agencies to reach a clear understanding … It will take about six months.”

The former of the two orders, which had yet to go into effect since being signed on 20 July, will be indefinitely suspended. The latter, issued by fiat by the junta to immediate effect on 23 July, will remain the law of the land while its implementation is studied.

“In the meantime, security officers will have to exercise their judgement, based on appropriateness of the situation,” Saman Footrakul, director of the Alcohol Beverage Office, told reporters today.

Agencies involved in working out the details include the Royal Thai Police, Ministry of Public Health, Excise Department, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Interior Affairs, Saman said.

Thanakorn Kuptajit, president of Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association, said the decision to leave enforcement up to the judgment of law enforcement officers was troubling.

Source: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1438691186&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2015-08-05

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[Brit_Doggie]

Arrest or be blessed which 1 do you want memories flooding back of my ex wife hehe.

[NongKhaiKid]

The word ' vicinity ' has to be officially defined and it will take up to six months to be sorted out, meanwhile security officers will have to exercise their judgement !

What a mess, open to all sorts of abuse but the flip flopping and indecision has become the hallmark of this govt.

Oh sorry, not quite as they are getting good at sorting out bike lanes.

[bangkokfrog]

“In the meantime, security officers will have to exercise their judgement, based on appropriateness of the situation how much tea money is paid,”

What a ridiculous situation, which will result in a 6 month feeding frenzy for all local officials involved.

[apetley]

' rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty' springs to mind.

[BritTim]

There must be too many drinking places that have succeeded in acquiring legal licenses. This new "law" will ensure such establishments need to make the monthly pay offs to the boys in blue like everyone else.

[Konini]

No doubt there will be even more of a premium on that tea money now.

[daoyai]

I know I really shouldn't use the phrase "back where I come from" but in this case I can't resist so... back where I come from, arbitrary, random and selective enforcement of laws are a big no no.

[asdecas]

One hears that compulsory brain transplants have been ordered for all senior military officers and government officials. However, it may be some time before the beneficial effects are seen.

[ezzra]

And while you're doing that, see if you can a closer look at many other silly and dumb laws you have

on your books that hurt the economy and tourism, why don't you?

[ldiablo]

Vicinity=the area near or surrounding a particular place. There you go Thai government. I just saved you 5 months and 26 days on your stupid committee. Now pay me!

[CWMcMurray]

Seems that such vague laws and green light to enforce 'selectively' would enable and promote corruption rather than fight it?

[sammygood]

those thai businesses can feel a bit like farangs now

when the rules suddenly change without warning

[awayego]

Well, what a surprise!

Thailand - sheep led by buffaloes.

[Acharn]

The word ' vicinity ' has to be officially defined and it will take up to six months to be sorted out, meanwhile security officers will have to exercise their judgement !

What a mess, open to all sorts of abuse but the flip flopping and indecision has become the hallmark of this govt.

Oh sorry, not quite as they are getting good at sorting out bike lanes.

I think this is the preferred Thai method of legislation. We have the rule of law, but we can still be flexible. Also, this leaves wriggle room so "gifts" can't be called corruption. In America we have to go to the trouble of having the Supreme Court overturn a law (e.g., the Voting Rights Act, Citizens United) and say it means something undefined. Here they are just saving a step.

[aussieinthailand]

Don't ya love it when a plan come's together. What a colossal c__k up, but not unexpected.

Implement a law that was poorly thought out, but had a 300 meter limit on alcohol sales from a education facility that could destroy who knows how many businesses, less than a month suspend that law, then implement another law that uses the word vicinity rather than a clear and defined area, Now have a six month study as to the meaning of the word vicinity and let the BIB use their judgment to decide just who in the vicinity will be targeted and who is left alone, all the while claiming tackling corruption. If this wasn't serious for the business owners and potential loss of large amounts of money and their livelihood's you would think some one's just taking the p*ss

But wait I may have the answer to the word vicinity, how about no alcohol sales within a bull's roar? or within koowee? Now that it's clear we all good?

And by the way don't criticize these geniuses coz you will be in for an attitude adjustment session.

And some here on TV like these people.

[maoro2013]

It would be just as easy to enforce the current laws and fine or close bars that serve underage persons, which I guess is what the new law is about.

[tomacht8]

Why are new laws?
Nobody will follow them anyway.
Then there are the well-known exceptions, and a lot of bribes again.

They should try first to enforce the existing laws.
No Alcohol sale to minors.

As long as they do not realize the existing laws, they should not deal with other laws.
This is ridiculous now.

[mancub]

So, 6 months to ascertain which affected and influential establishments should find their way onto an exclusion list.

[teacherpaul]

I'd love Spitting Image to come back and look at Thailand. They'd get enough material for a whole series!

[zaphod reborn]

I know I really shouldn't use the phrase "back where I come from" but in this case I can't resist so... back where I come from, arbitrary, random and selective enforcement of laws are a big no no.

In real democracies, vague laws and arbitrary enforcement nullify the laws. In Thailand, vague laws are the norm. Thai officials like vague laws. It can allow them to turn the screws on anyone who doesn't bow to their wishes. It is the very mechanism that allows corruption to continue unabated in Thailand. The justice system is complicit in the corruption, because they don't have the power, nor the chutzpah, to void laws when they run afoul of the Constitution. Instead, they issue conflicting rulings which just add to the chaos surrounding the operation of the Thai government.

[sscsamui]

Sound like they are leaving it open for some people who wear brown to fill their pocket when they think they should... TIT

[bamnutsak]

Close all schools in the vicinity of where alcohol is sold.

Problem solved.

It's not like the education system here is actually any good, or would be missed. Just give everyone a diploma, and a beer.

[Stradavarius37]

C'mon Djamie, JohnThailandJohn, and all you junta butt lickers - justify this absurd sitution if you can.

Don't be a tool - the justification is that all Thai governments, no matter the incarnation, are stupid. Now go play with your toy cars.

[magnacarta]

One hears that compulsory brain transplants have been ordered for all senior military officers and government officials. However, it may be some time before the beneficial effects are seen.

Will there be import tax on the imported farang brains,if they are going to use Thai brains,frying pan into the fire comes to mind.

[magnacarta]

C'mon Djamie, JohnThailandJohn, and all you junta butt lickers - justify this absurd sitution if you can.

To early in the day,they haven't chanted their 12 commandments yet.

[BudRight]

"Have yet to decide what 'vicinity' means."

Does it make too much sense to define this before passing the law? Why not have just one law that bans all "bad stuff?"

[magnacarta]

alcohol should be banned in Thailand. at least it will make farang sugar daddies to leave, as everybody knows thy can't survive without booze

Obvious troll post. Must do better next term.

Nah just an attention seeker or suffering from ADS.

[NickJ]

The Real World Fielding Mellish is alive and well running Thailand.

[DrTuner]

So place your offers, the best places near the universities are being auctioned right now at your local cop shop.