Bars made to close.

[mogandave]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

[kannot]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Indirectly, yes. The temples tell it to the government and the government tells it to the bars.

So it could be the people telling the temples, in which case it's what the people want, yes?

I don't think that the people tell the temples because the majority of Thai people is alcoholic.

While I think it fair to say the Thais you come in contact hanging around in crappy bars likely are, that simply has not been my experience.

You are completely wrong. Even in the " good old days" I met some NGOs who were upcountry doing some work on early deaths in rural women of a certain age..alcohol. Not saying it's endemic but it was a problem 30 years ago, probably bigger now..

Alcohol use is a problem in Thailand..thought that was common knowledge.

Completely wrong indeed. You know more about my experience than I do?

I never claimed alcohol was not a problem, but the idea that the majority of Thais are alcoholic is ridiculous.

So if you or the other nut-sack making that claim have nothing more to back it up than your own experience I'll go with my own experience.

Of course that statement is ridiculous but your initial reply of bars etc...standard reply was off the mark. Don't need to insult to make a point. It is a big issue..alcohol however you wish to frame it.

Really? You state that I'm completely wrong in one post and admit I am right in the next. Have you even read the thread?

What "initial reply of bars etc...standard reply was off the mark."?

Mogan does the "quote" button not work for you its really hard to read any replies like this?

I don't know, how is it supposed to work?

Well I just hit "quote"

[kannot]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

[ttthailand]

Times change and so do laws. The thing that bothers me is that I see new rules and laws being passed and then started the next day. If a bar has a license to sell alcohol and does not break any existing laws it is not fair to cancel their license until perhaps it expires. Here it seems that everything is done without any thought of fairness or consideration. Not sure how these bars fit into this but I see it with laws about immigration, opening hours, gatherings, etc etc ....

[mogandave]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

So it's the government shutting the bar down, not the temple, yes?

I agree that most governments have way too much authority over people's lives.

[kannot]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

So it's the government shutting the bar down, not the temple, yes?

I agree that most governments have way too much authority over people's lives.

The driving force will be the religion and the temples are part of that charade and even though it shouldnt religion and politics are intertwined in many countries..sadly

[mogandave]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

So it's the government shutting the bar down, not the temple, yes?

I agree that most governments have way too much authority over people's lives.

The driving force will be the religion and the temples are part of that charade and even though it shouldnt religion and politics are intertwined in many countries..sadly

So do you believe in zoning laws at all?

[Rhys]

What happened to 'Pure as Thai?"

[big carl]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

You like the rest of us failed to look at Thailand as any thing more than a beach resort. Many of us find out we were wrong and still love it here.

Had you and the other complainers bothered to look at it you would have known that Thailand is officially a Buddhist nation and thereby subject to different methods than the countries where religion and government are separated.

Many move here on rumor based on a lot of evidence that Thailand is all about booze and broads. When they find out it is not quite that way they complain.

Here in Chiang Mai we get lots of complaints about the noise they make. Now in a Buddhist country would it not make sense to keep that away from the temples? As for the schools the noise would not be an issue. Not sure what the issue is there but in all my travels in North America can't say as I recall seeing a bar next to a school. I am sure there are some but not many.

[kannot]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

So it's the government shutting the bar down, not the temple, yes?

I agree that most governments have way too much authority over people's lives.

The driving force will be the religion and the temples are part of that charade and even though it shouldnt religion and politics are intertwined in many countries..sadly

So do you believe in zoning laws at all?

for alcohol or in general? if a bar is making a nuisance by noise etc yes, for purely providing and consumption of alcohol no, if its being zoned for religious purposes no.

[kannot]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

You like the rest of us failed to look at Thailand as any thing more than a beach resort. Many of us find out we were wrong and still love it here.

Had you and the other complainers bothered to look at it you would have known that Thailand is officially a Buddhist nation and thereby subject to different methods than the countries where religion and government are separated.

Many move here on rumor based on a lot of evidence that Thailand is all about booze and broads. When they find out it is not quite that way they complain.

Here in Chiang Mai we get lots of complaints about the noise they make. Now in a Buddhist country would it not make sense to keep that away from the temples? As for the schools the noise would not be an issue. Not sure what the issue is there but in all my travels in North America can't say as I recall seeing a bar next to a school. I am sure there are some but not many.

YOU are making way to many assumptions............1. I dont drink alcohol.2 I dont go to bars, 3 I stay here for my Wifes sake.4 ive never been to a gogo bar in my life.5 I dont like the beach

[mogandave]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

So it's the government shutting the bar down, not the temple, yes?

I agree that most governments have way too much authority over people's lives.

The driving force will be the religion and the temples are part of that charade and even though it shouldnt religion and politics are intertwined in many countries..sadly

So do you believe in zoning laws at all?

for alcohol or in general? if a bar is making a nuisance by noise etc yes, for purely providing and consumption of alcohol no, if its being zoned for religious purposes no.

In general.

Whether or not a bar is making nuisance has nothing to do with zoning.

I would not want a bar (or most any business) opening up next to my home.

[kannot]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

So it's the government shutting the bar down, not the temple, yes?

I agree that most governments have way too much authority over people's lives.

The driving force will be the religion and the temples are part of that charade and even though it shouldnt religion and politics are intertwined in many countries..sadly

So do you believe in zoning laws at all?

for alcohol or in general? if a bar is making a nuisance by noise etc yes, for purely providing and consumption of alcohol no, if its being zoned for religious purposes no.

In general.

Whether or not a bar is making nuisance has nothing to do with zoning.

I would not want a bar (or most any business) opening up next to my home.

And I wouldnt want a temple but purely for noise nuisance, does Thailand have zoning? and if so is it enforced?

By me you can literally build anything without planning permission, no drawings etc 3km from the main Phetkasem Road in Pranburi ........zilch, build what you like...

[mogandave]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

So it's the government shutting the bar down, not the temple, yes?

I agree that most governments have way too much authority over people's lives.

The driving force will be the religion and the temples are part of that charade and even though it shouldnt religion and politics are intertwined in many countries..sadly

So do you believe in zoning laws at all?

for alcohol or in general? if a bar is making a nuisance by noise etc yes, for purely providing and consumption of alcohol no, if its being zoned for religious purposes no.

In general.

Whether or not a bar is making nuisance has nothing to do with zoning.

I would not want a bar (or most any business) opening up next to my home.

And I wouldnt want a temple but purely for noise nuisance, does Thailand have zoning? and if so is it enforced?

By me you can literally build anything without planning permission, no drawings etc 3km from the main Phetkasem Road in Pranburi ........zilch, build what you like...

You can build what you like, but Thailand indeed has laws including zoning and building codes that they may or may not choose to enforce.

If there is no law, why are bars being shut down?

[IMA_FARANG]

There are certain Buddhist holidays where every year bars are closed down.

This will probably also happen on some national holidays in Thailand and on election days.

For example, if there is a referendum this year for the new Thai charter, expect that to be a "no booze" day.

Learn to deal with it.

It is part of living in Thailand.

[kannot]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

The world would be so much better if people stopped believing in fantasy, never seen a bar tell a temple to shutdown for its belief

People believe in all manner of fantasy.

So you think temples are telling bars to close down?

Yes but most likely not directly.

So how does closing a bar benefit a temple?

How does a temple indirectly tell a bar to close down?

I imagine the govt do this under the guise of religion but most likely pressure form temples also, why else would they want to close a bar down next to a temple but the point is religion is nothing but fantasy and should have no implications if you are a non believer and simply the word "belief" makes it nonsense, its belief with no evidence whatsoever to support it.

Do temples say you should not consume alcohol? does Buddhism teach this? and what about those " religious days" days based on nothing but a fantasy which dictate to others who try not to base their life on a "fantasy" getting dictated to......its ludicrous.

So it's the government shutting the bar down, not the temple, yes?

I agree that most governments have way too much authority over people's lives.

The driving force will be the religion and the temples are part of that charade and even though it shouldnt religion and politics are intertwined in many countries..sadly

So do you believe in zoning laws at all?

for alcohol or in general? if a bar is making a nuisance by noise etc yes, for purely providing and consumption of alcohol no, if its being zoned for religious purposes no.

In general.

Whether or not a bar is making nuisance has nothing to do with zoning.

I would not want a bar (or most any business) opening up next to my home.

And I wouldnt want a temple but purely for noise nuisance, does Thailand have zoning? and if so is it enforced?

By me you can literally build anything without planning permission, no drawings etc 3km from the main Phetkasem Road in Pranburi ........zilch, build what you like...

You can build what you like, but Thailand indeed has laws including zoning and building codes that they may or may not choose to enforce.

If there is no law, why are bars being shut down?

3km from main road, maybe its less than that ?

When we built we checked with head of village and the land office at Sam Roi Yot, they said you can build with no permission that was 3 years ago, we got a house book and mains electric without issue.

[nong38]

I can remember being in a bar in England ( we call it a pub ) when a man of the cloth came in for a quick half whilst the vicar was delivering the sermon across the road!

I am not sure the rules about bars/ beer sellers in the proximity of temples and so called educational establishments is good for society, its a restriction of freedoms, perhaps the current administration is happy with that. Its like the no sun lounges on the beach on a wednesday and Bar closures on Monks days, is that really what the people want, is that what the traders want, who wants it TAT?

The people seem to have been pretty much supportive of the current outfit so far although I think it is not as strong as it was when they first came to power. They should remember why they decided to take over and when their project is finished. The people want a return to democracy soon and the military would not find it so easy to return again for another go in the near future, they dont have long to put things in place for the return. It is not a surprise that that bloke in Dubai is making noises surely he can see the administration is begining to flounder and this may be his chance to return.

[mogandave]

I am not sure the rules about bars/ beer sellers in the proximity of temples and so called educational establishments is good for society, its a restriction of freedoms...

Exactly what are the rules?

Do you think one should be permitted to open a bar anywhere they please, and that bars should be allowed to serve children and stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

I imagine you support any "...restriction of freedoms..." you don't like.

[thaiduncankk]

I am not sure the rules about bars/ beer sellers in the proximity of temples and so called educational establishments is good for society, its a restriction of freedoms...

Exactly what are the rules?

Do you think one should be permitted to open a bar anywhere they please, and that bars should be allowed to serve children and stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

I imagine you support any "...restriction of freedoms..." you don't like.

The authorities issued these venues with licences, permitting them to sell alcohol during permitted licencing hours, depending on the type of establishment, bar, restaurant, night club, shop, or any other.

Many have been trading for years, but now, they are put out of business ?

[mogandave]

I am not sure the rules about bars/ beer sellers in the proximity of temples and so called educational establishments is good for society, its a restriction of freedoms...

Exactly what are the rules?

Do you think one should be permitted to open a bar anywhere they please, and that bars should be allowed to serve children and stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

I imagine you support any "...restriction of freedoms..." you don't like.

The authorities issued these venues with licences, permitting them to sell alcohol during permitted licencing hours, depending on the type of establishment, bar, restaurant, night club, shop, or any other.

Many have been trading for years, but now, they are put out of business ?

So what does the law say, and when was it passed?

[Blackheart]

Many posts seem like sad egotistical attempts to argue who has the most knowledge and experience about Thailand.

Truly pathetic.

[thaiduncankk]

Many posts seem like sad egotistical attempts to argue who has the most knowledge and experience about Thailand.

Truly pathetic.

My post was not about 'knowledge and experience'.

I merely pointed out that these people, at some point in time, must have been issued a licence to sell alcohol legally.

[Blackheart]

Many posts seem like sad egotistical attempts to argue who has the most knowledge and experience about Thailand.

Truly pathetic.

My post was not about 'knowledge and experience'.

I merely pointed out that these people, at some point in time, must have been issued a licence to sell alcohol legally.

Its all good, was not refering to yours anyway.

[spidermike007]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

I am not a religious guy. More of a spiritual sort. So, I am ambivalent about the temples. Here is what Matthew McConaughey's character had to say about organized religion in the brilliant first season of true detective:

"Transference of fear and self loathing to an authoritarian vessel is catharsis. He absorbs their dread with his narrative. Because of this, he is effective in proportion on the amount of certainty he can project. Certain linguistic anthropologists think that religion is a language virus, that rewrites pathways in the brain, and dulls critical thinking".

Brilliant stuff. So, one can make an argument either way. Bars can be very healthy for society, as it allows us to blow off some steam. And who wants to be told what to do by the government? You can't enjoy your favorite bar anymore, because we have an agenda. Nonsense. Leave us alone!

I believe they do have an agenda. I believe they are trying to re-mold the country, in the image of the Chinese. That is their fastest growing tourist sector. They travel mostly as couples or families. The Chinese do not frequent the bars, and very rarely do they bar fine. So, I think the powers that be are looking around and saying, over time we should discourage the bars. It has been happening in Samui, for at least the past five years. Also Phuket. Both are a pale shadow of their former selves, when it comes to the bar scene, and the nightlife in general. Now, it is happening in Chiang Mai. Next Bangkok? Let us hope not. A religious agenda is rarely ever a positive thing for a society and a government. Historically, it has rarely ever led to a net benefit to society.

[mogandave]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

I am not a religious guy. More of a spiritual sort. So, I am ambivalent about the temples. Here is what Matthew McConaughey's character had to say about organized religion in the brilliant first season of true detective:

"Transference of fear and self loathing to an authoritarian vessel is catharsis. He absorbs their dread with his narrative. Because of this, he is effective in proportion on the amount of certainty he can project. Certain linguistic anthropologists think that religion is a language virus, that rewrites pathways in the brain, and dulls critical thinking".

Brilliant stuff. So, one can make an argument either way. Bars can be very healthy for society, as it allows us to blow off some steam. And who wants to be told what to do by the government? You can't enjoy your favorite bar anymore, because we have an agenda. Nonsense. Leave us alone!

I believe they do have an agenda. I believe they are trying to re-mold the country, in the image of the Chinese. That is their fastest growing tourist sector. They travel mostly as couples or families. The Chinese do not frequent the bars, and very rarely do they bar fine. So, I think the powers that be are looking around and saying, over time we should discourage the bars. It has been happening in Samui, for at least the past five years. Also Phuket. Both are a pale shadow of their former selves, when it comes to the bar scene, and the nightlife in general. Now, it is happening in Chiang Mai. Next Bangkok? Let us hope not. A religious agenda is rarely ever a positive thing for a society and a government. Historically, it has rarely ever led to a net benefit to society.

Isn't China secular?

[scorecard]

I actually just asked my wife if she had seen any of the owners of the two bars as one of the bars also run a restaurant on the other end of town. She said she had and had asked about their bar being closed on the night in question. As I had thought it was because of the ruling about proximity to the temple and a school about 300 meters away. So there we have it, the ruling is now being enforced. Bravo to another plan to bring happiness to the people.

On the other hand many folks praise the move to get alcohol sales away from school / university locations.

High school / bachelor students in the class room drunk after in not appropriate for many reasons, let alone they are not learning. It also consumes the teachers time to get the half drunk students to be quiet, to behave, to stop silly pretend fighting etc etc. Not fair to the students who want to learn.

Yes they can still travel a bit further to get alcohol if they are determined but why let it sold in shops right alongside / opposite schools.?

[spidermike007]

Once again the ugly head of religion rears its smug face to tell you what's right and wrong!

Yes, the world would be so much better with more bars and fewer temples.

I am not a religious guy. More of a spiritual sort. So, I am ambivalent about the temples. Here is what Matthew McConaughey's character had to say about organized religion in the brilliant first season of true detective:

"Transference of fear and self loathing to an authoritarian vessel is catharsis. He absorbs their dread with his narrative. Because of this, he is effective in proportion on the amount of certainty he can project. Certain linguistic anthropologists think that religion is a language virus, that rewrites pathways in the brain, and dulls critical thinking".

Brilliant stuff. So, one can make an argument either way. Bars can be very healthy for society, as it allows us to blow off some steam. And who wants to be told what to do by the government? You can't enjoy your favorite bar anymore, because we have an agenda. Nonsense. Leave us alone!

I believe they do have an agenda. I believe they are trying to re-mold the country, in the image of the Chinese. That is their fastest growing tourist sector. They travel mostly as couples or families. The Chinese do not frequent the bars, and very rarely do they bar fine. So, I think the powers that be are looking around and saying, over time we should discourage the bars. It has been happening in Samui, for at least the past five years. Also Phuket. Both are a pale shadow of their former selves, when it comes to the bar scene, and the nightlife in general. Now, it is happening in Chiang Mai. Next Bangkok? Let us hope not. A religious agenda is rarely ever a positive thing for a society and a government. Historically, it has rarely ever led to a net benefit to society.

Isn't China secular?

That question has nothing to do with the topic at hand here. What we are discussing is the motivation behind the authorities wanting to shut down, or discourage the bar scene in Thailand. It is more than likely a moral agenda, being motivated by religion, the clergy, and the Chinese tourists, in my opinion. It is a bad idea. The bars are part of what gives Thailand at least part of it's character. The place simply would not be the same without it. And I say that as someone who does not drink much. Already Samui and Phuket, are seeing vastly reduced bar scenes. Even the famed Bangla Road (which I despise) is hurting big time. On Samui the bars are closing at an alarming pace. The remaining ones are complaining there are few customers, due to the new "lets get every Chinese person to visit Thailand, and let's discourage the Western tourist" policy. It is short sighted, ill willed, non visionary, stupid, and just an attempt to make the country more vanilla. Bad, bad, bad idea.