[fameintatenly]

Generalization is generalization, no matter who or where.

I do not want people assuming I am a 'drunkard or alcoholic' just because I am American. Nor do I want people assuming all Thais are 'drunkards or alcoholics'.

[TOD4wDTQ]

Effect on tourism blah blah blah....should .

I have not seen any complaints from tourists published.

Maybe it's mostly expats who feel the need to protect the tourism

[StitlyDute]

> "It will disappoint foreign tourists visiting Thailand, as drinking alcohol, such as wine and beer, is part of their everyday routine."

I find this wording and the way the article is written extremely offensive to the scores of tourists whose "daily routine" does not include getting pissed. it sounds like all foreign visitors are drunkards and alcoholics who will cause mayhem if they cannot get their daily fix.

I don't see a problem with a little bit of disdain being shown towards the alcoholic habits of foreign tourists. Imagine if in your home town large numbers of seedy, neon-lit bars full of drunk men and other bars full of 'accesible women' cropped up and were propped up by foreign tourists.

The (obviously untrue) impression that the author gives that 'all foreign visitors are drunkards and alcoholics' may just be a reflection of the impression that tourists to thailand, as a whole, give off.

[VipInoLo]

Being a none drinker, I believe alcohol is just as dangerous as any of the illegal drugs and should be banned in the same way.

[StitlyDute]

I'd have thought spending any amount of time on this forum would teach people to be a little flexible in their interpretations of english when written by a Thai person, because they often fail to understand/see the need for some of the nuances of English. The article could also be a translation of a Thai language piece of writing and perhaps the real meaning was lost in translation, so I would be inclined to reign in the righteous indignation.

[Bejemoelemymn]

the bars are shut in the towns.but tourist can still drink if they are careful.also the people who enforce the rules can drink in the small villages outside the bigger towns.even thou they know it is against the law they drink still in the bar.but this is thailand and many things happen

The law bans the sale of alcohol. Whether one drinks, or not, is something else.

Some of the expats and tourists can actually survive the one day bans.

But, this is two days!!!!!

This may reap more chaos than the red shirt demonstrations!

[brraverishhh]

à«ç§à»ç´= (slang) boring

[mnhloot]

What happened to good plain English? Looks like someone needs to show off his mastery of English.

[VipInoLo]

Giving the alcoholics a day off from drinking could do them a lot of good.

[Butiqueso]

Is this ban on alcohol on buddhist holidays going to affect me? Of cos not. There're still restaurants selling alchohol during buddhist holidays if you know where to find them. In the past, instead of selling them in usual beer mug, they pour it in plastic cups. Recent years, they're getting bolder. They just continue to sell it as it is because they have "sen yai". At least thats what the waitress told me.

To me, this is just one of the many "for show" laws in Thailand. If I am a true buddhist, I don't need this law to prevent me from drinking alchohol during "Buddha Day".

[TOD4wDTQ]

There was a thread discussing this earlier but I can't find it now.

Personally I don't think people will sit at home and look in the calendar when there will be dry days in TH before they order their trip but ofc they might get annoyed when they find out on site.

[Butiqueso]

I just thought the comment above was funny.

If they are serious with this law, perhaps the Thai Tourism authority should emphasize it on their travel bourchure that they will be banning booze during Buddhist holidays. As well as all those travel guide books. I think there're people travelling to holiday in Thailand just looking for a R&R or simply just to party. It will be unfair for them to come here and then find out the night clubs are not open.

[karaburatoreror]

We mustn't forget that not everyone in Thailand are Buddhists. It may be the majority but there are other religions here as well. You don't hear the Thai Muslims grumbling during Buddhist holidays that they cannot go and buy any alcohol.

[karaburatoreror]

There was a thread discussing this earlier but I can't find it now.

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/show...ht=alcohol+ban

[BuyCheapest]

I don't see a problem with a little bit of disdain being shown towards the alcoholic habits of foreign tourists. Imagine if in your home town large numbers of seedy, neon-lit bars full of drunk men and other bars full of 'accesible women' cropped up and were propped up by foreign tourists.

I would have been the first to agree if expressions such as "a large number of tourists" had been used, but the way it was put, it does mean that all foreigners are drunkards.
by the way, there ARE a lot of seedy, neon-lit bars with drunk men in my home city of Chiang Mai. I know where they are and when they are open, and I can go on for years without seeing them. (there are dozens near my school as well! during the day, it is a respectable neighbourhood. just don't go anywhere near at night.)

btw, when all these disagreeable, disgusting tourists with revolting habits and manners and zero respect for culture stop coming, suddenly the TAT is launching emergency campaigns, the headlines are panicking, alarm bells are tolling. it is obviously not a solution to ask tourists to drops their wallets into a bin at the airport and get on the next flight. so, some making up of minds would be essential: does the country want all these disgusting foreigners with appalling habits and manners or not? on the whole, is it good or bad if they stop coming and trampling all over Thai culture while contributing to the economy?

this way, it is just sheer hypocrisy , nothing more.

[karaburatoreror]

I voted that they should abide by the laws of the land that they are living in. As an expat there is no problem really. But, I can understand the concern for the tourism industry. However, at the end of the day, most of us come here for the culture and this is just one part of it.

It would be interesting to know if expats in places like Pakistan ever complain. Though I understand that non-Muslims can go to special places to buy alcohol that is given to them in a brown paper bag. They just need a certificate to show that they are not Muslim.

[TOD4wDTQ]

They just continue to sell it as it is because they have "sen yai". At least thats what the waitress told me.
.

What does Sen Yai mean?

[Butiqueso]

I voted "Yes, what's a Buddhist holiday got to do with foreigners? ".

[BuyCheapest]

Deknoi, believe me, I am more than good at interpreting the broken English used by Thais. I do it for a living. this was something different.

as for Ramadan, that is in the guidebooks and is clear for visitors, I would guess. also, it is not essential to eat in the street.

[ambiddetcat]

"When in Rome do as the Romans do" (stock up in advance!)

Seriously-it is probable that the bans does not apply to hotel residents and if it does livers will be grateful for a couple of days rest.
If it is a real hardship to go without alcohol for 2 days-or the culture that goes with it -then it is time to sit down and re-asses your lifestyle and maybe think about getting some advice/help.