I've been in Siam in election time. Not a bottle of booze to be seen anywhere above table hight. But every restaurant I went in seemed to have a number of Mekong Bottles etc etc on the ground below the table.

So either stay at home for two nights or be careful and dont kick the bottles over!!!!!

quote:

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

Well, a fairly reliable source tells me they were affected this past weekend. Even here in this sleepy little town, where it has never been a problem before, the whole place was dry last night.

Yes, I know it's Christmas, but I can remember when it was difficult, if not impossible, to buy alcohol in the UK on Christmas day. People can go out and enjoy a few drinks with family and friends, just not on these particular 4 days.

I understand that at some resorts in Muslim states tourists can buy alcohol, but not everywhere. There is also a difference between bars being closed for a few days out of one's holiday and there being no bars at all. Furthermore, remarks like

quote:

If they had common sense they would confine the ban to locals and let the holiday makers alone

have a nasty stench of Western arrogance about them, IMHO. Along the lines of "I'm the rich Westerner come to your country to spend my money, of which I have far more than you, so you have to forget your rules and customs and do what I want!"

As for enjoying oneself on holiday, well I go to Thailand with my family to have a family holiday. I can and do enjoy such without having to drink alcohol incessantly, so not being able to buy alcohol for a few days wouldn't bother me. I guess some posters must go for different reasons.

quote:

Furthermore, remarks like
quote:
If they had common sense they would confine the ban to locals and let the holiday makers alone
have a nasty stench of Western arrogance about them, IMHO. Along the lines of "I'm the rich Westerner come to your country to spend my money, of which I have far more than you, so you have to forget your rules and customs and do what I want!"

Very good point Nick.
I bet it must be annoying for the indigenous population having Johnny foreigner complaining about having to abide by the rules of their country. Maybe the locals will tell them to get back to their own country if they dont like it


Rob

quote:

quote:
If they had common sense they would confine the ban to locals and let the holiday makers alone

have a nasty stench of Western arrogance about them, IMHO. Along the lines of "I'm the rich Westerner come to your country to spend my money, of which I have far more than you, so you have to forget your rules and customs and do what I want!" Bah!

True exactly what I meant except this is not a regular custom and Thailand is marketed as party destination by the Thai tourist board i.e. the Thai government, they want the tourist Baht.

However if that was another snide dig at me Nick I do respect Thai customs when we visit but then I'm not a regular tourist on a 14 day binge.
ash

Thinking further maybe it should read "If they had any business sense "

quote:

Originally posted by ash:
this is not a regular custom

Whilst I cannot claim your in-depth knowledge and long term expertise of all things Thai, for as long as I have taken an interest in Thailand the bars have been closed for elections. Maybe a blind eye was turned in certain areas, but surely you cannot be advocating the continuation of the bribery and corruption some previous regimes have been accused of?

quote:

if that was another snide dig at me

Not snide, quite the opposite; an open comment on a certain attitude illustrated by your remark.

quote:

I do respect Thai customs when we visit

Then why not respect this one?

quote:

but then I'm not a regular tourist on a 14 day binge.

Then why do you have a problem with this? Or was it someone else using your login who said

quote:

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.

Nick
As you seem to remember not being able to get a drink on Christmas Day in the Uk and as your the same age as me you obviously live on a different planet, because as long as I can remember that was never the case.

As to the Thai customs issue I don't care if they open or close bars, but I was making the point that the average Joe who expects a party holiday as described in the brochure would rightly be upset if after booking and paying for a holiday to a destination with nor restrictions etc , if the authorities at short notice arbitrarily changed the rules and certainly I would expect many to not return.

I have zero interest by the way in all things Thai , only my family, but in this case its not a Thai custom which implies a long term tradition but a government whim.

As to bribery and corruption no I don^advocate any of those things.

Nick as usual your posting provocative nonsense and trying to misrepresent what I am saying but if that floats your boat enjoy
ash

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:
Yes, I know it's Christmas, but I can remember when it was difficult, if not impossible, to buy alcohol in the UK on Christmas day.

There has never been such a ban in the UK. The law has certainly restricted the sale of alcohol during certain days and times of day - but Christmas Day - pubs have always been allowed to open, it used to be 12:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 22:30. Some pubs chose not to open on Christmas Day - but that was a private decision, not a legal obligation.

My local is closed Christmas Night, well, I say closed - it is closed to the general public but us 'regulars' have a private "by invitation only" party.

Wanting to have a few beers with a meal or with friends whilst on a holiday over Christmas does not make an individual an alcoholic.

Nick
I sometimes wonder if you have ever been to Thailand?

Most Thais that I know never go to bars, all their drinking is done at home or at friends houses. I have never found a Thai 'bar' as such.

This ban is so pointless it is unreal, all it does is stop people who have no vote having a drink in tourist areas.

Might have to disagree again Tobias. When I was a student in Bangor N Wales no alcohol was sold on xmas day, or even on any Sunday. The pubs were closed at 10.30 every night incl Saturday.
No point complaining about it, you just lived with it.

Rob

You are right Rob in that you were unable to buy alcohol in certain parts of Wales, although there was in fact no law that specifically prevented the sale of alcohol!

The 'dry' towns were actually made dry by a vote (or "Poll" to give it its correct legal term) by the locals of the relevant local authority - a vote enabled by a law enacted in Victorian times. That law is now repealed (Licensing Act 2003???).

So yes, you were unable to buy alcohol on Sundays in certain Welsh districts - but this was not by a law imposed by government but rather a ban brought about by a vote (Poll) of the local community.

P.S. Nick was talking about England!

P.P.S. Pubs used to close in England at 10:30 every night in England too for a considerable period until the late 80s/early 90s.

Nick,

I'm pretty sure you're in a minority on this. Most people want to enjoy themselves on the few weeks they get away from work. I would guess that most people like to either go out clubbing, have a drink with their meal or just go to a bar. I for one don't want to sit in my hotel room all evening or go to a bar with no alcohol.

That doesn't mean to say people who wish to drink are alcoholics or cannot do without a drink - its a matter of freedom of choice.

quote:

have a nasty stench of Western arrogance about them, IMHO. Along the lines of "I'm the rich Westerner come to your country to spend my money, of which I have far more than you, so you have to forget your rules and customs and do what I want!"

Not at all, nothing to do with western arrogance. Thailand relies heavily on its tourist industry. Whereas they have every right to follow their culture and customs, if they want tourism they have to provide the things that tourists want. Personally I would not visit a country that banned alcohol for a holiday unless I had a specific reason to go there.

You also have to take into account the fact that most people will have booked their holiday long before the ban on alcohol was anounced and many will be affected by two weekends with very little in the way of the entertaiment they expect. To me, this is arrogance on the part of the Thai authorities. They want tourists but expect those tourists to be accept something that has nothing at all to do with them and announce it when its too late for most people to do anything about it. The arrogance is in the fact that they will simply not care. Other countries go out of their way to attract tourists - Thailand, as with many other aspects relating to foreigners, seems to be going out of its way to p*ss foreigners off.

Its about marketing Nick. Thailand is a brand in the same way that Marks & Spencer are and brands have to cater for their customers or lose them. I doubt M&S would close all their stores whilst their shareholders voted at the AGM. I agree that people living in a foreign country should accept the customs and rules of that country but I think that this ban is just plain stupidity considered from a tourist's point of view.

"Come over here, tip your wheelbarrow full of money up and clear off back home" - even if your married to one of our natives."

To be honest, I'm getting a little sick of the attitudes of the Thai authorities towards foreigners and this ban has added to that. I intend emigrating before too long and it was going to be to Thailand but I have serious doubts about it now and will be looking at other Asian destinations - ones that actually welcome people.

Another point, I think that the ban is a bit rich in a country that is well known for hugely corrupt election campaigns and party candiates killing each other. Maybe they would do better to assure that those who do vote, vote for the party they choose rather then who pays them the most.

Lucky,

There are Thai bars - granted not so many. I've been to a few and believe me, you wouldn't want to go their.

quote:

Might have to disagree again Tobias. When I was a student in Bangor N Wales no alcohol was sold on xmas day, or even on any Sunday. The pubs were closed at 10.30 every night incl Saturday.
No point complaining about it, you just lived with it.

Rob

There was a small bar in Anglesey that opened on Sundays (1977-78), we shipped 20 + of us there in a Mini it took 3 trips each way.
Ash

Lucky
When you drive around Isaan look for the Fairy lights between villages , its not just Fairies

quote:

Originally posted by Lucky:
This ban is so pointless it is unreal, all it does is stop people who have no vote having a drink in tourist areas.

As Ash just mentioned, look for the fairy lights.

I drive past eleven karaoke bars every night, they are always loud and occupied...... except this Sunday just gone when they were all closed. I expect the same thing to happen next weekend.

Yes I kow what you mean. but I do not classify them as bars as per the type where people just go to sit and drink ala falang style. Thais uusally have food as the main focus and they drink after. Karaoke bars are very popular but often have a hidden agenda, some waitresses serve more than food and drink

quote:

Karaoke bars are very popular but often have a hidden agenda, some waitresses serve more than food and drink Blush

Same as going to the Barbers then
ash

Tobias, the pubs I used to drink and work in when I was in my late teens/early twenties all closed on Christmas day. However, from what you say it must have been a local custom rather than the law.

I also spent many week-ends caving and hill walking in South Wales, often in counties which were 'dry' on a Sunday. Didn't stop me or my colleagues from going.

Ash, as usual your responses show that you have either not read or failed to understand what I have written. Probably why, yet again, you have failed to respond to my direct questions. Other than your usual backpedaling, of course.

Everyone else, as I said before, not getting a drink for a couple of week-ends doesn't bother me, so I guess I must go to Thailand for a different reason to you.

It seems ironic that we have one thread where those who go to Thailand for the bars are being criticised and yet in this one the Thai government is being criticised because this law may put such people off.

BTW, when we are in Bangsu or Ratchaburi and do go out for a drink then I am usually the only Farang in the place, but then bars where the waitresses are for hire don't interest me either.

Finally, the link to AA was, perhaps, a step too far, but my overall point remains the same. Someone who cannot go a couple of days without a drink does have a problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Noi & Nick:
... but my overall point remains the same. Someone who cannot go a couple of days without a drink does have a problem.

Indeed, and the point others were making is why does the Thai government have to spoil the Christmas celebrations and the tourists' holiday because of elections they have no say in!

quote:

Ash, as usual your responses show that you have either not read or failed to understand what I have written. Probably why, yet again, you have failed to respond to my direct questions. Other than your usual backpedaling, of course. Shrug

Nick I did answer your questions and certainly no back pedalling was involved but its rather difficult dealing with someone with your rather limited understanding of English and apparent lack of education.

My point is that commercially this is a stupid decision and one which will in all probability damage the tourist industry financially.

Its not a Thai custom but a rather ill thought out Thai law which if I happened to be in Thailand I would follow to the letter.

The other discussion is about Sex Tourism not bars for drinking.

Finally the word 'IF' means that the comment did not apply to me , merely to those who booked holidays prior to the elections who had no option but to go anyway.

ash

quote:

Originally posted by Lucky:
Karaoke bars are very popular but often have a hidden agenda, some waitresses serve more than food and drink

Not here, beer and SangSom are number one on the agenda.... by the time anything else may raise its ugly head, everyone is too ****ed to care.

Hence the ban...... but it should not affect tourists.

This was an interesting post from the Hua Hin area and doesn't seem unique. Seems like the Thais don't always respect their own rules and its not just the nasty farang!

"Had a bottle or two of Chang at our favourite watering hole today. Just 50 metres away from a polling station and out in the sticks. It was business as usual. No question of hiding the bottles or drinking out of mugs.

Sadly, the crazy laws (and I use that term loosely) seem to only affect the farang run bars, which are, from what I hear, really suffering from the lack of tourists this year.

Come on Thailand! We've had the Tsunami, a Military Coup and some murders - which are all reported in the tabloids in the West. And now holidaymakers are denied alcoholic drinks because of a (another loose term) democratic election. Great news for the tourism industry! I feel sorry for the unaware tourists who have booked the Christmas holiday period here...

xx

Edited due to typo - too many Changs..."