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Rules on Phuket university booze ban unveiled
Saroj Kueprasertkij


Students hold up one of the new 'no alcohol' signs. Photo: Tanyaluck Sakoot

PHUKET: -- Details of exactly how the much-hyped outright booze ban “near” educational institutions will be enforced in Phuket were made clear this week after law-enforcement agencies and local business owners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the “Campus Free Zone” campaign.

Businesses that abide by the current law will not suffer in the campaign’s fight against underage revelry, police have assured.

But licensees of venues that sell alcohol to minors will face the full brunt of legal action, Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Khunnadet Nanongkhai told The Phuket News.

“A first-time offender may have his or her license to sell alcohol revoked and face a five-year ban on the licensee applying for a new permit,” he said.

“Our priority is to ensure that pubs and shops do not sell alcohol to minors (in Thailand, persons under 20 years of age), but adults or students aged over 20 can buy alcohol during the permitted hours,” Pol Lt Col Khunnadet confirmed.

Confusion reigned throughout the country over the “school alcohol ban” after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ordered on July 23 for police to take immediate action against any venues selling alcohol within 300 metres of any “educational institution”.

That order was confounded by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha two days later issuing an order for police to target any venues selling alcohol “near” what he called “education institutions”.

What constituted an “education institution”or how far in metres “near” was, was never defined, prompting officials to quickly backtrack on the crackdown and leave the interpretation to the local police.

However, following the signing of the Campus free Zone MoU on Sept 14, Excise Department Phuket Office Director Pairat Kulima told The Phuket News, “We cannot enforce a no-alcohol zone in Phuket of any extended distance from a campus as that would leave no places for any venues to sell alcohol, which is not realistic.

“However, we can enforce an alcohol-free zone in the areas immediately surrounding campuses, and we can still make sure that venues ‘nearby’ are not selling alcohol to students who are still minors.”

Students who are of legal age to drink alcohol must not do so while still in uniform, Mr Pairat confirmed.

“That is the rule of the university. The students can be dismissed from enrolment at the university if they break the university’s rules.”

More than 15 business owners signed the MoU to create a one-kilometre “clear zone” around Phuket Rajabhat University, north of Phuket Town.

Venues, including pubs, bars, cubs with sexy dancing and snooker halls, will be randomly inspected to ensure that minors are not drinking alcohol.

Further, the venue owners will be discouraged from allowing the premises to become hangouts for possibly wayward youths, Pol Lt Col Khunnadet explained.

“We will check snooker clubs, internet and game shops and other places where students like to hang out, and we will be keeping an eye for drugs and other illegal activities such as gambling,” he said.

“Officers from the Excise Department will cooperate with the police and inspect venues in the area more regularly,” Mr Pairat added.

“We will revoke their alcohol license for five years for the first offence. If they are caught again, we will ban for life. That means they cannot be issued an alcohol license anywhere in Thailand,” he added.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/rules-on-phuket-university-booze-ban-unveiled-54231.php

-- Phuket News 2015-09-24

[CiaranO]

It does make a person wonder do authorities on this island believe they are a law on to themselves and above the government.

It's a no wonder this country is as lawless as it is.

[ChrisY1]

It would be ideal if the law could actually stop people under the age of 20 byeing and consuming alchohol........the simple fact is it cannot.

Globally, underage drinking, sex, drugs and etc are rampant and authorities are helpless...........Thailand is probably in a worse position with chronic corruption enabling anything!

Edited September 24, 2015 by ChrisY1

[Ace of Pop]

Perhaps they could change all the rules to appease weak Parents.

[Tatsujin]

Why is this so < deleted > complicated? There's an age limit, enforce it, simple, job done, everyone else can get on with their lives. Alternatively, make the parents responsible for the child's behavior (a novel concept in Thailand I know).

[madmitch]

So basically it's business as usual in Phuket for now, but what'll happen when the Government makes its official announcement?

[masuk]

Next, there will be signs banning sex before age 20, No driving motor bikes until age 16, Helmets will be worn at all times.

Of course, these laws will be obeyed, the same as no drinking until age 20.

Heads down!!! Here comes another low altitude pig.

[12DrinkMore]

Another example of pathetic English shown on the sign.

Guess they ran it through the campus linguistic experts.

(And I just read the bottom line of small print,

"An imprisment of not exceeding....")

The university spelling and grammar checker must have been drunk on campus.

Edited September 24, 2015 by 12DrinkMore

[12DrinkMore]

Heads down!!! Here comes another low altitude pig.

Just another tight brown uniform racing to a crime scene.

[whatproblem]

What about the ones selling alcohol without a license,will they be banned for 5 years

[FangFerang]

The young man in the pic has the look of that office guy who tries to order around his colleagues, a best boy, and the girl looks like she isn't sure this is really making merit.....

[fareastguy]

Should have checked the grammar of the English segment on the sign before publicising it to the whole nation, once again advertising the low level of English language knowledge within the University concerned !

Hope that was just a test sample & not one of a bulk order ^^

[mrwebb8825]

"...cubs with sexy dancing..." Where does one find young bears dancing sexily? And, it seems it's ok for the minors to be there as long as they don't drink, gamble or do drugs.

[gandalf12]

I think this sums it up "What constituted an “education institution”or how far in metres “near” was, was never defined......"

[MrBrilliant]

I think the English Language Dept. there must have been having a few already given the 'English translation' on the sign....