Alcohol and Thailand by The Pattaya Sleuth

[Jonathan Fairfield]

LIFESTYLE

Alcohol and Thailand by The Pattaya Sleuth

The recent Buddha Day certainly caused some confusion amongst tourists who suddenly found that all of the bars were closed on Monday. Admittedly, this is not a big problem for most people but if you are on holiday it can certainly be a source of frustration.

OK, you don’t go on holiday to purely drink but for many people who come to Thailand drinking is part of your holiday and if you are only here for 14 days, having one day (and sometimes more) where you are restricted in what you can do may put people off coming to the Kingdom.

The licensing laws in Thailand often lead to confusion at the best of times with a lot of people, expats included, not really understanding the ins and outs and the fact that how heavily this is enforced varies from province to province only makes the situation more confusing. Indeed there is some speculation that even bars and restaurants may be forced to stop serving alcohol between 2pm and 5pm to bring them in line with shops such as 7 Eleven and supermarkets but these rumours have been doing the rounds for a number of years now.

For those of you who don’t know the licensing laws in Thailand dictate that alcohol can only served between the hours of 11am and 2pm as well as 5pm until midnight. Entertainment zones get special dispensation to serve outside of these hours – usually later into the night but once again there are a number of grey areas with this. The problem with this is that the fine for selling outside of licensing hours is the small matter of a THB4,0000 and/or potential two years in prison.

Of course there are always places that run the risk of serving alcohol and we all probably know at least one of these places but they are becoming increasingly rare. On Buddha Days it wasn’t uncommon for the hotel bars to be filled with expats as well as tourists who were getting their ‘fix’ of alcohol but even these seem to be reducing in number.

As mentioned, sadly the fact that these restrictions seem to hit tourists harder than most is perhaps another nail in the coffin for the number of Western tourists who are coming to Thailand and looking forward to the many delights that the country has to offer with alcohol or things often associated with alcohol being one of the main attractions.

Source: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/alcohol-thailand/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-02-27

[maoro2013]

Alcohol can be 'served' or 'sold' between those hours.

What about wholesale?

Except for 7-11 and ilk, I have never seen these rules enforced in drinking establishments even in Bangkok, where I have sometimes bought takeaways from pubs in the banned hours.

[thaiduncankk]

They were enforced in Khon Kaen a few years ago, during the Songkran festival !

It is, entirely up to the discretion of the authorities involved.

Also, last week during the no alcohol religious day, I was invited to a friend's house for the afternoon, so decided to take some alcoholic refreshment with me. I stopped at a well known Chinese/Thai wholesalers, who, in the ten years I had a bar, would sell alcohol any time of the day when the shop was open. Religious days, royal birthdays, election days, you name the day, they always served alcohol.

Last week, however, they had a sign in the window saying they were not permitted to sell it on that day, even the regular staff were bemused.

I eventually purchased some from a 'mom and pop' shop nearer my destination with no questions asked !

[Suradit69]

Registered guests in a hotel can still get booze.

[mcfish]

80% of 711 in South Pattaya sell 24 hours

Sent from my SC-01D using Tapatalk

[pauleddy]

The Mom-and-Pop shops still sell in my area, especially the chinese people.

A well-known newsagent (chinese/thai) with open frontage on the busy main road near the BTS at Saphan Kwai will always sell Singha, Leo, Chang etc from open to closing time.

A Thai friend says that some 7-11s sell out-of-hours, but I have never seen it.

Villa Market shops used to sell to Falangs at any time (incl. wines and spirits)but they have gotten a bit tougher. The branch I buy from knows me well, and I now put wines in a separate trolley which the guy "rings through" after 11am or before 2pm.

A naughty Thai guy gets round the whole thing by opening his beer INSIDE the 7-11 after 2pm and stands there drinking it while proffering the money. They cannot stop him once he has started drinking...and they dare not call the police because the onus is on them not to SELL after 2pm. I have argued that the guy is using force to break the law and is committing theft, but he has done this many times as a wheeze. The young kids who work in 7-11 don't know what to do!! Come on you bored armchair lawyers in Pattaya...

Eddy

[Roomuck]

Oh not again. This final nail in the coffin. Again?

You can get grog 24/7 in Thailand 365. Not everywhere but it is doable.

Name a country where bottle shops (or seven elevens, or mum and dad shops) are as common as in Thailand. In oz you can't buy beer or any alcohol in seven elevens or milk bars and I reckon there wouldn't be more than a couple of outlets selling alcohol per suburb. And they close at 10pm generally. Here you can get grog on nearly every half busy road, even the little shops in villages have cold beer for sale.

Here it is everywhere and readily available despite some restrictions that are largely ignored.

But let's dress it up as that elusive "final nail in the coffin". That must be the five hundredth final nail that I have read about on Thai visa.

The fact is that decent hotels can sell grog whenever they want.

[gemguy]

Hmmmm....People that can not go without a drink of alcohol for 1 day is something considered news worthy and important...lol

[little mary sunshine]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

[Mr Money Bags]

With each passing day, I grow more and more thankful that I don't consume alcohol.

Or smoke, or take drugs, or "enjoy" prostitutes.

My life is MUCH too full to intentionally poison myself......

You're Welcome!!

[DoctorB]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

What self-righteous drivel !

The real issue is not whether one can go without a drink or not. It's whether some sactimonious busy-body should have the right to tell you that you have to do so, regardless of your own wishes.

There are are too many people in this world that want to tell others how they should live their lives, even in matters as simple as whether they can have a cold beer or not.

[little mary sunshine]

Just have no use for these lushes...most are selfish, have run out on

Bills and families in their home countries and are no asset to Thailand.

They may live anyway they choose and be as drunk and stupid as they

Like.

[gemguy]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

What self-righteous drivel !

The real issue is not whether one can go without a drink or not. It's whether some sactimonious busy-body should have the right to tell you that you have to do so, regardless of your own wishes.

There are are too many people in this world that want to tell others how they should live their lives, even in matters as simple as whether they can have a cold beer or not.

DoctorB....

Have you been Butt Hurt by other peoples opinion concerning public alcohol consumption and drunkenness and or the "in country" rules and regulations pertaining to when and where you can publically drink your beloved alcohol.

It seems so.....at least by your post it seems so........lol

Cheers .......and hope you can go one day without having to drink in public places and having to suffer drinking at home or in private...for one day only...lol

[KenKadz]

What no one is talking about is WHY these laws governing alcohol sales hours exist.

Or why these laws apply to foreigners with foreign passports.

I seem to remember the alcohol sales hours starting about 10 years ago.

And if I remember correctly these laws had to do with children's school hours.

But this was 10+ years ago and those drunken children are all grown up now; maybe sober too?

[DoctorB]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

What self-righteous drivel !

The real issue is not whether one can go without a drink or not. It's whether some sactimonious busy-body should have the right to tell you that you have to do so, regardless of your own wishes.

There are are too many people in this world that want to tell others how they should live their lives, even in matters as simple as whether they can have a cold beer or not.

DoctorB....

Have you been Butt Hurt by other peoples opinion concerning public alcohol consumption and drunkenness and or the "in country" rules and regulations pertaining to when and where you can publically drink your beloved alcohol.

It seems so.....at least by your post it seems so........lol

Cheers .......and hope you can go one day without having to drink in public places and having to suffer drinking at home or in private...for one day only...lol

No, you've got it wrong.

I typically have 1 small beer with my evening meal, and it's weeks since I've been bar hopping. As I said in my post, that's not the issue. I just loath self-righteous, meddling busy-bodies who take it upon themselves to criticise and restrict other peoples' choices.

I'm sure if I looked into your life style I would find things to criticise and carp about (eg your choice of extremely vulgar terminology on a public website). However, in general, I just don't choose to do so. Live and let live...I'll have a Leo with my Tom Yam and leave you to make crude references to anal sex for the world to read.

[Agent Sumo]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

What self-righteous drivel !

The real issue is not whether one can go without a drink or not. It's whether some sactimonious busy-body should have the right to tell you that you have to do so, regardless of your own wishes.

There are are too many people in this world that want to tell others how they should live their lives, even in matters as simple as whether they can have a cold beer or not.

DoctorB....

Have you been Butt Hurt by other peoples opinion concerning public alcohol consumption and drunkenness and or the "in country" rules and regulations pertaining to when and where you can publically drink your beloved alcohol.

It seems so.....at least by your post it seems so........lol

Cheers .......and hope you can go one day without having to drink in public places and having to suffer drinking at home or in private...for one day only...lol

No, you've got it wrong.

I typically have 1 small beer with my evening meal, and it's weeks since I've been bar hopping. As I said in my post, that's not the issue. I just loath self-righteous, meddling busy-bodies who take it upon themselves to criticise and restrict other peoples' choices.

I'm sure if I looked into your life style I would find things to criticise and carp about (eg your choice of extremely vulgar terminology on a public website). However, in general, I just don't choose to do so. Live and let live...I'll have a Leo with my Tom Yam and leave you to make crude references to anal sex for the world to read.

It's the government restricting "other people's choices"; not the posters on this thread

Some people are just saying that you gotta be pretty damn pathetic if the prospect of being unable to purchase alcohol on one day has you throwing a tantrum

I tend to agree

If someone is so completely unable to function without booze for one day, they can always stockpile it in advance. No laws against consumption, only against sale

[little mary sunshine]

Spoken like a true drunk attempting to deny the amt U drink!

[SoiBiker]

What no one is talking about is WHY these laws governing alcohol sales hours exist.

Or why these laws apply to foreigners with foreign passports.

Why shouldn't the same law apply to Thais and foreigners alike?

I like a drink. I buy my booze during the hours its on sale. I don't see the problem, frankly.

[Agent Sumo]

What no one is talking about is WHY these laws governing alcohol sales hours exist.

Or why these laws apply to foreigners with foreign passports.

Why shouldn't the same law apply to Thais and foreigners alike?

I like a drink. I buy my booze during the hours its on sale. I don't see the problem, frankly.

Yeah but many of these people don't really have anything else going on in their lives, just the daily sup

I believe it's called "living the dream"

[wwest5829]

Having been years in the "Bible Belt", I was rater taken aback by the previously enforced forbidding of alcohol sales on Sundays. Quite right, one could stock up on Saturday in anticipation but to me that was not the issue. For myself and others the issue was a law passed based on one groups' religious beliefs. After all, the Sabbath is different for Jews and Seventh Day Adventists, Moslems forbid (officially) the use of any alcohol. No laws were equally passed on the basis of those "other" beliefs.

[Enoon]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

What self-righteous drivel !

The real issue is not whether one can go without a drink or not. It's whether some sactimonious busy-body should have the right to tell you that you have to do so, regardless of your own wishes.

There are are too many people in this world that want to tell others how they should live their lives, even in matters as simple as whether they can have a cold beer or not.

DoctorB....

Have you been Butt Hurt by other peoples opinion concerning public alcohol consumption and drunkenness and or the "in country" rules and regulations pertaining to when and where you can publically drink your beloved alcohol.

It seems so.....at least by your post it seems so........lol

Cheers .......and hope you can go one day without having to drink in public places and having to suffer drinking at home or in private...for one day only...lol

No, you've got it wrong.

I typically have 1 small beer with my evening meal, and it's weeks since I've been bar hopping. As I said in my post, that's not the issue. I just loath self-righteous, meddling busy-bodies who take it upon themselves to criticise and restrict other peoples' choices.

I'm sure if I looked into your life style I would find things to criticise and carp about (eg your choice of extremely vulgar terminology on a public website). However, in general, I just don't choose to do so. Live and let live...I'll have a Leo with my Tom Yam and leave you to make crude references to anal sex for the world to read.

You can still have a cold beer. The consumption of alcohol is not prohibited during this period or, as far as I know, at any other time of the year.

The prohibition on sales is in deference to aspects of a belief system which the vast majority of Thais claim to subscribe to. It is an important day in the Buddhist calendar and a large number of Thais, probably the majority, are "at ease" with it.

It's what they do "over here", you know, in their country.

The fact that you (a foreigner) can't accept that and cannot tolerate (for one day) the absence of alcohol from restaurants (which are still open, soft drinks only) or the closure of bars, makes you look a bit like the sort of person who has been held to ridicule in earlier posts, and the sort of person who is anything but a "live and let live" sort of guy.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Enoon

[thaiduncankk]

With each passing day, I grow more and more thankful that I don't consume alcohol.

Or smoke, or take drugs, or "enjoy" prostitutes.

My life is MUCH too full to intentionally poison myself......

You're Welcome!!

You must be a bundle of fun to be with.

[little mary sunshine]

More fun playing cards, bowling, movies,

Travel, sightseeing .....Oh you would rather

Be with a slobbering, incoherent drunk....must

Be a nice life you have!

Edited February 28, 2016 by little mary sunshine

[thaiduncankk]

More fun playing cards, bowling, movies,

Travel, sightseeing .....Oh you would rather

Be with a slobbering, incoherent drunk....must

Be a nice life you have!

Actually, I have 2 quality nights out a week out with good friends.

I think your description of a 'slobbering, incoherent drunk is way off the mark.

I am glad you are dealing with your previous problems with alcohol, but let others do what they want.

[gemguy]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

What self-righteous drivel !

The real issue is not whether one can go without a drink or not. It's whether some sactimonious busy-body should have the right to tell you that you have to do so, regardless of your own wishes.

There are are too many people in this world that want to tell others how they should live their lives, even in matters as simple as whether they can have a cold beer or not.

DoctorB....

Have you been Butt Hurt by other peoples opinion concerning public alcohol consumption and drunkenness and or the "in country" rules and regulations pertaining to when and where you can publically drink your beloved alcohol.

It seems so.....at least by your post it seems so........lol

Cheers .......and hope you can go one day without having to drink in public places and having to suffer drinking at home or in private...for one day only...lol

No, you've got it wrong.

I typically have 1 small beer with my evening meal, and it's weeks since I've been bar hopping. As I said in my post, that's not the issue. I just loath self-righteous, meddling busy-bodies who take it upon themselves to criticise and restrict other peoples' choices.

I'm sure if I looked into your life style I would find things to criticise and carp about (eg your choice of extremely vulgar terminology on a public website). However, in general, I just don't choose to do so. Live and let live...I'll have a Leo with my Tom Yam and leave you to make crude references to anal sex for the world to read.

Fair enough but if you are a drinker you will be criticized by non drinkers and that is the way it has always been and will remain so.

Meantime no one is self righteous ..rather just stating their thoughts about people who get all bent out of shape when their enthusiasm for public drinking is curbed for one day only by Government laws and regulations.

[petedk]

Alcohol can be 'served' or 'sold' between those hours.

What about wholesale?

Except for 7-11 and ilk, I have never seen these rules enforced in drinking establishments even in Bangkok, where I have sometimes bought takeaways from pubs in the banned hours.

"Wholesale has also been banned.

There is a total ban.

[petedk]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

What self-righteous drivel !

The real issue is not whether one can go without a drink or not. It's whether some sactimonious busy-body should have the right to tell you that you have to do so, regardless of your own wishes.

There are are too many people in this world that want to tell others how they should live their lives, even in matters as simple as whether they can have a cold beer or not.

DoctorB....

Have you been Butt Hurt by other peoples opinion concerning public alcohol consumption and drunkenness and or the "in country" rules and regulations pertaining to when and where you can publically drink your beloved alcohol.

It seems so.....at least by your post it seems so........lol

Cheers .......and hope you can go one day without having to drink in public places and having to suffer drinking at home or in private...for one day only...lol

No, you've got it wrong.

I typically have 1 small beer with my evening meal, and it's weeks since I've been bar hopping. As I said in my post, that's not the issue. I just loath self-righteous, meddling busy-bodies who take it upon themselves to criticise and restrict other peoples' choices.

I'm sure if I looked into your life style I would find things to criticise and carp about (eg your choice of extremely vulgar terminology on a public website). However, in general, I just don't choose to do so. Live and let live...I'll have a Leo with my Tom Yam and leave you to make crude references to anal sex for the world to read.

It's the government restricting "other people's choices"; not the posters on this thread

Some people are just saying that you gotta be pretty damn pathetic if the prospect of being unable to purchase alcohol on one day has you throwing a tantrum

I tend to agree

If someone is so completely unable to function without booze for one day, they can always stockpile it in advance. No laws against consumption, only against sale

It has nothing to do with not being able to function without booze.

I only drink alcohol some Fridays and some Saturdays, and then it is limited to 2 or 3 beers or glasses of wine with my dinner.

If I want to celebrate someone's birthday, wedding anniversary or whatever in a nice restaurant , then it can be irritating not to be able to buy alcohol at certain times of day or on certain dates.

Sure I know where to buy at so called "closed times", but I would like to enjoy a glass with nice food.

Oh, I can buy alcohol 24/7 , 365 days a year, just 30 metres from my local police station. (As can off duty police).

[cat handler]

Obviously the author doesn't know Thailand too well, even with the beer fridge roped off at the 7/11 you can buy alcohol, just give the checkout chick a 500 baht tip. Even in the beer bars you can drink beer, just use a coffee mug. Let's not forget you can always stock up your fridge the day before.

[Agent Sumo]

Pathetic these lushes can't go a day without

Having to scramble around to find a place that

Sells Booz anytime; the bright side is, they usually

Drink themselves to death in a few years !!

What self-righteous drivel !

The real issue is not whether one can go without a drink or not. It's whether some sactimonious busy-body should have the right to tell you that you have to do so, regardless of your own wishes.

There are are too many people in this world that want to tell others how they should live their lives, even in matters as simple as whether they can have a cold beer or not.

DoctorB....

Have you been Butt Hurt by other peoples opinion concerning public alcohol consumption and drunkenness and or the "in country" rules and regulations pertaining to when and where you can publically drink your beloved alcohol.

It seems so.....at least by your post it seems so........lol

Cheers .......and hope you can go one day without having to drink in public places and having to suffer drinking at home or in private...for one day only...lol

No, you've got it wrong.

I typically have 1 small beer with my evening meal, and it's weeks since I've been bar hopping. As I said in my post, that's not the issue. I just loath self-righteous, meddling busy-bodies who take it upon themselves to criticise and restrict other peoples' choices.

I'm sure if I looked into your life style I would find things to criticise and carp about (eg your choice of extremely vulgar terminology on a public website). However, in general, I just don't choose to do so. Live and let live...I'll have a Leo with my Tom Yam and leave you to make crude references to anal sex for the world to read.

It's the government restricting "other people's choices"; not the posters on this thread

Some people are just saying that you gotta be pretty damn pathetic if the prospect of being unable to purchase alcohol on one day has you throwing a tantrum

I tend to agree

If someone is so completely unable to function without booze for one day, they can always stockpile it in advance. No laws against consumption, only against sale

It has nothing to do with not being able to function without booze.

I only drink alcohol some Fridays and some Saturdays, and then it is limited to 2 or 3 beers or glasses of wine with my dinner.

If I want to celebrate someone's birthday, wedding anniversary or whatever in a nice restaurant , then it can be irritating not to be able to buy alcohol at certain times of day or on certain dates.

Sure I know where to buy at so called "closed times", but I would like to enjoy a glass with nice food.

Oh, I can buy alcohol 24/7 , 365 days a year, just 30 metres from my local police station. (As can off duty police).

It's "irritating" but you get over it, don't you?

It's the law of the land and it isn't going to change to accommodate special events like birthdays or weddings.

Book into a hotel, have dinner at their restaurant and you can order booze.

Satisfied now?

[chicowoodduck]

My most enjoyable days in LOS are the alcohol free days....pure bliss on all fronts.....???