BANGKOK: -- No alcohol will be served to expats, tourists or local residents in bars and restaurants over the next two weekends nationwide due to the oncoming election.

The first dry days will be 14, 15 and 16 December, pre-election days for a few million Thais who registered to vote early.

Thaivisa has been informed that no alcohol is allowed to be served nationwide between Friday 14th at 6pm until Sunday 16th at midnight.

Elections on the 23rd will mean no alcohol will be sold from 6pm on the 22nd till midnight on the 23rd of December.

Practically this means two or three dry days in the two weekends ahead, although some tourist areas tend to be lenient once it's past 7pm on election day.

Please be aware that local rules could apply. Big hotels are not likely to be affected.

--thaivisa.com 2007-12-13

I arrive on the 23rd but we are already stocked up so no probs for me.

quote:

Please be aware that local rules could apply.

Yes. In Khon Kaen, for example, the following alcohol-free hours will be enforced:

Fri 14th at 6pm until Sun 16th at 9pm.*
Sat 22nd at 6pm until Sun 23rd at 9pm.

* Liverpool vs Man Utd kicks off at 8.30pm on the 16th so I envisage many places (both Thai and Farang) serving a little earlier that night.

Regards

Wasn't there some talk about anyone caught drinking getting a 6 month prison sentence?

quote:

Originally posted by guava:
BANGKOK: -- No alcohol will be served to expats, tourists or local residents

Is there a problem with drunk expats/tourists voting in Thailand /

I'm all for 'when in Rome' and all that but I sometimes wonder if they know, or even care, the impact that things like this may have on their tourist industry?

I doubt that this will have any impact at all on the voters of Thailand who if they want to, will not really have a problem in drinking whenever they wish. The only ones likely to be affected are those who are not involved with voting at all - expats and tourists!

Don't forget though that the basis of alcohol licencing in UK is still so we don't lose WWI...

What Steve says has a very good bearing. The ban also has a point in saying "This is an Important Occassion" and should be treated as such.

On top of that if the bar girls and boys are not distracted from voting duties, a massive amount of surplus votes can be gained.

Well my brother tells me they have heard nothing of the restrictions this weekend on Samui. Only confirmation they have is for the ban on night of 22nd and 23rd but seems nobody is sure yet if they will stay closed for night of 23rd. They believe they will have to close on 22nd though.

I don't leave UK until Wednesday so will miss this weekends ban but will be in Bangkok for the election day ban. Guess it wont be a problem for me - but wonder how many first time visitors to Thailand that are having a Christmas holiday of a lifetime will fall foul of two weekends booze free? Do you think they would return next year?

Tsunami, bombs at New Year, military coup, booze free Christmas. Amazing Thailand!

Edit by Guava:
I in no way meant to compare the tragic loss of life in the Tsunami or indeed the New Year bombs with a weekend ban on booze. Merely meant that this seems a deterrent to tourism that is totally avoidable.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark W:
I arrive on the 23rd but we are already stocked up so no probs for me.

Who you flying with Mark? I also arrive 23rd flying Eva air.

Derren

quote:

Originally posted by chocolate-eater:
Who you flying with Mark? I also arrive 23rd flying Eva air.

Derren

Etihad from Manchester

I can confirm that the ban appears to be being strictly enforced. While bars the Sukhumwit area were open last night it was soft drinks only.

While all the shops where I live in Chatuchak are also refusing to sell.

Two great weekends in prospect.

Depends where in this big country you are!

Just had a text message off my mate today who is at Jomtien.He says he spent the day on the beach yesterday and the venders their were selling booze and then at night the odd bar was still selling it.

Sorry, guys, I like a drink, but if you can't enjoy yourselves or go a couple of week-ends without booze then you have a problem.

Maybe you should contact these people.

I've never seen the beaches at Jomtien or Pattaya affected by the booze bans, they seem to be exempt.

Did you miss the little from your post Nick?

Nick,
Thanks for the link,just contacted them....

I resigned

Ian

It's a bit tough if you are on a two week holiday though

Sorry Nick but I think you miss the point.

Enforcing this ban will not stop Thai people (or expats come to that) from obtaining alcohol - we all know where we could get a drink despite this ban. The only people it will impact on are tourists and Thai staff employed in the entertainment industry. So what good does it do?

Tobias, no I didn't forget to put a smiley.

Lucky, 4 days without booze out of a 14 day holiday; not the end of the world unless one does have a problem.

Guava, whilst I see you point, my remarks are directed at the authors of those posts which are not discussing the merits or otherwise of the Thai governments policy but instead are bewailing the fact that the poster wouldn't be able to get a drink.

If they cannot survive a few days without a drink then you may have a point but come on Nick, people are on holiday, it's Christmas and they want the choice to go out and enjoy a drink with their family and friends - is that really a problem?

Personally I think it's a daft ban that is unlikely to have the desired affect - apart from annoying Thailand's much needed tourists!

IT'S CHRISTMAS! .... ... now where are those humbugs I bought you?

If I'd booked a holiday expecting that I could drink and party etc and then just before leaving I was told that all these things were closed even for 4 days from 14 I would be looking for another place to visit.

If I knew in advance then maybe I would not have a problem.

If they had common sense they would confine the ban to locals and let the holiday makers alone as they do even in the Middle East.

One things sure those in the Government will still get the booze
ash

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:

Lucky, 4 days without booze out of a 14 day holiday; not the end of the world unless one does have a problem.

Wow Nick, I'm glad I haven't booked to go on my hols with you.

quote:

Originally posted by Tobias:
If they cannot survive a few days without a drink then you may have a point but come on Nick, people are on holiday, it's Christmas and they want the choice to go out and enjoy a drink with their family and friends - is that really a problem?

Exactly.