[ElisasAUG]

Last night while in Bangkok came across a group of expats complaining about all bars closed and the ban on the sales of alcohol next Tuesday and Wednesday. Effect on tourism blah blah blah....

What's your opinion on this, should the authorities change the law and allow foreigners to attend bars and buy alcohol while Thais can not, as this is what (i think) most alcohol-drinking expats and tourists believe should happen.

[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.

[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.

[karaburatoreror]

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

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

[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.

[Butiqueso]

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

[pprropeciaaa]

I think expats and tourists should abide by the laws of the country. I'm sure there are ways for Thais and non-Thais alike to skirt the law if they are so inclined.

[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.

[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

[BuyCheapest]

You don't hear the Thai Muslims grumbling during Buddhist holidays that they cannot go and buy any alcohol.

Thai Muslims and Christians put up with "worse" things, like compulsory Buddhist chanting and religion class in state schools.
personally, I think the whole alcohol ban is stupid and hypocritical. if someone wants to drink, they will stock up or find a way. this is not going to reduce consumption, improve morals, or educate people about the dangers of drinking too much. if it helped, I wouldn't object.
the only possible positive outcome I can imagine is maybe slightly fewer accidents caused by drinking and driving. ok, so maybe it is worth having this restriction. but then, why only on holidays??

so, I cannot choose any of the options given, because I think if there is a regulation, it should apply to everyone. but this regulation shouldn1t be there in the first place.

I would love to see a survey on how many percent of Thais, especially young Thais, go to the temple during the holiday, and how many take the opportunity to get pissed. we may be surprised.

I am not Buddhist, or Muslim, or Christian, and I don't drink. (once every leap year or so.)

[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.

[mnhloot]

By Suchat Sritama
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation
Published on July 1, 2009

The government was dealing another severe blow to the already-battered tourism and entertainment industry by suddenly banning booze during Buddhist holidays next week, business leaders complained yesterday.

"This is the same old issue - the government rising up to destroy tourism. This does not parallel its tourism policy of increasing the number of visitors coming into the country," said Thai Hotels Association (THA) president Prakit Chinamourphong.

Enforcement of the decree would hurt tourism venues, especially clubs and restaurants located in hotels, as well as general tourist attractions.

"How can tourists can enjoy their holiday in Thailand without drinking? Like Phuket or Pattaya, they're coming for beaches and fun. They like to have beers and some drinks on the beach. If we ask them not to do so, they won't be happy," Prakit said.

The government should have communicated the order well in advance to foreign tourists, so they could plan their activities and celebrations better while staying in the country.

"I think it's good for locals to stop drinking during that time, but tourists will be upset," Prakit said.

Visitors understand the prohibition on election days but cannot accept it for occasions like this, he said.

Hotel operators are expected to suffer even more from the latest move after getting hit by the global economic crisis and type-A (H1N1) influenza, he said.

The industry is expected to be hurt even more by the suspension of alcohol sales.

A source from the Federation on Alcohol Control of Thailand said the order for alcohol-free religious holidays would be a great setback for local tourism and related businesses, such as hotels, pubs and restaurants.

"With the ban, all tourist destinations, including Koh Samui, Phuket and Pattaya, will be hurt. All pubs and beer bars will have to close, because they cannot sell any alcohol on those days," the source said.

"It will disappoint foreign tourists visiting Thailand, as drinking alcohol, such as wine and beer, is part of their everyday routine. They may switch to other countries next time. The government should take this sensitive issue seriously if they want to promote tourism as one of the key sectors bringing revenue into the country to stimulate the economy."

Chatchai Wiratyosin, marketing manager of Singha Corp, brewer and distributor of Singha and Leo beers, said his company could live with the government's decision to suspend alcohol sales on special religious holidays.

"We don't think the measure will make a significant impact on the sale of alcoholic beverages, because people normally drink less on religious holidays anyway," he said.

But he still wonders why the government must always issue immediate measures to ban the sale and drinking of alcohol instead of trying other means, such as educational campaigns to promote higher morals among local youths regarding responsible drinking.

[Heliosprime]

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

[StitlyDute]

Thai people do love getting hammered and any excuse to break out the whiskey will be used. In that sense restrictive alcohol laws make sense because to do otherwise would be to condone rampant alcohol consumption. It seems fairly pointless, but it is the law of the land and should be respected by foreigners.

Personally, the image of the habitual neon-lit barfly farang is a hateful one and I don't mind seeing booted out onto the street for a few nights a year.

[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!

[BuyCheapest]

> "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.

[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]

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]

What does Sen Yai mean?

"Big line/string". Local slang for knowing some important people or the correct person. Sometimes they use the word "puu yai" also for "big man". For example, recently Chuwit's son was arrested by the Thonglor police for creating troubles in a pub and when Chuwit asked the pub manager why did they allow his son who is underage (below 21) into the pub in the first place, and the manager replied they know "puu yai" and Chuwit replied "So what? Puu yai don't need to obey the laws?"

Funny, normally its the "puu yai" or people with strings who're breaking these laws. You think they'll stop drinking alchohol or visit their minor wives during these Buddhist holidays?

[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.