Another Alcohol Ban?

Post by **johnnyk** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:55 am

I can't believe how frantic some people get because they may not be able to drink in a bar for 24 or 48 hours.

If alcohol is that important maybe its time for some counseling.
Go to 7/11 the day before, how hard is that?

Post by **buksida** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:50 am

johnnyk wrote:I can't believe how frantic some people get because they may not be able to drink in a bar for 24 or 48 hours.

Its called a principle mate, nothing to do with CH3-CH2-OH really.

Post by **HHTel** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:34 am

JohnnyK, not everyone goes to the bars for the booze. I know many non-drinkers who frequent the town area/bar area for the atmosphere. When an alcohol ban closed what in effect is the entertainment area, it didn't just hit 'drinkers' (who can't vote!) but a fair amount of couples/families/tourists. You only have to look and see tourists wandering aimlessly. You think they're enjoying themselves?

sargeant · Post by **sargeant** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:40 am

I was wondering if someone gets up a petition and a march could you all swing by my doctor and mrs sarge.

A mere piddling minor 48 hour ban is eutopia to me right now and all this reading about it leaves me breaking my neck for a cold one

Post by **sandman67** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 2:07 pm

HHTel hits the nail on the head....in effect what this has done is close down the entertainment district of HH.

In a low looking high season this is pure insanity. Id guess a good percentage of those crowds of wandering tourists arent likely to return....

The ban also has a knockon effect on other businesses. Taxi bike and tuc-tuc drivers come to mind....

Instead of addressing the problem of alcohol fuelled vote parties directly by banning such political chicanery, the government have effectively kicked the tourist industry square in the nuts.

In a country that is, to a degree, dependent on that industry that is insane.

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 2:23 pm

Well, I've managed to get my customary bottles of Chang, wrapped up in newspaper again this morning. My local shopkeeper did say, however, that under no circumstances would she sell me any tomorrow. I've got till 8pm to stock up again.
I was in town around 11.30am today and was was struck by how quiet it was. OK, I didn't stroll around all that much, but for a Xmas weekend, it was almost deserted. Petchkasem Road was easy to cross as, I assume, large numbers of Bangkokians are voting rather than travelling down here.

Post by **richard** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:05 pm

HHtel is right

Most go out to socialise not get legless or take a BG

The 711 syndrome works but stinks of the UK.Guys (particularly single elders) used to go to the pub with the intention of socialising. Now they can't afford it, so remain at home with their Tesco Guinness and watch boring TV

Thailand is different. That's why most of us are here. Christmas is a farang thing and therefore of no consequence

However I agree with the ricochet effect. Bars, BGs, Tuk tuk drivers and taxis all take a hit as will many many shops including the Indian tailors and the sweat shops supporting them. The list is endless

Nevertheless TIT and you take it or leave it. We will never change it

Time to go for my Christmas up in Khon Kaen. Turkey? No, songtam, Christmas pud and mince pies. Now there's a mix

On the tourist front, I dont think it makes an iota of difference. If they cannot get a drink their hotel the staff will advise them where to go

Enjoy yourselves. Back for New Year and all that entails!!!

Post by **wazzer** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:14 pm

the booze ban is a pain in the arse but who gives a toss about high season
rip off tuk tuk & motor bike taxi,s losing out? is it because they really feel
sorry for " no beer for falang".

Post by **redzonerocker** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:50 pm

buksida wrote:
Its called a principle mate, nothing to do with CH3-CH2-OH really.

i dont understand what the principle is?

are you saying that the rules should be changed to suit the expats/tourists?
as much as the alcohol ban is a pain the ass or an inconvenience to some people, it is the law, as unpopular as it is in some quarters.
the persecution against falangs notion sounds quite selfish as i'm sure quite a lot of thais are put out by the situation too.
you can call it bad planning, ill timed & bad management but will it hold any sway with the authorities? i doubt it!!

the significance of it all is, we are all pretty insignificant when it comes to decisions made by the powers that be

Post by **klikster** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:39 pm

redzonerocker wrote:
buksida wrote:
Its called a principle mate, nothing to do with CH3-CH2-OH really.
i dont understand what the principle is?

Actually, I guess I do understand it as a principle, just perhaps a bit different.

Thailand is about to engage in a democratic process the likes of which is actually somewhat rare in SE Asia .. and many other parts of the world. I wonder if the Burmese would like to be voting in a freely contested election right now?

This particular inconvenience normally happens once in 4 years. Huge sacrifice for farangs, right? Nah!

Just think of it as doing some tiny part of participating in Thailand's attempt at democracy .. as a matter of principle.

Post by **DawnHRD** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:46 pm

^ Once in 4 years, Klikster? Are you figuring in local elections, Buddhist holidays, Royal birthdays etc? All of those have alcohol bans.

I still think it's a bit of a storm in a (sangsom filled) teacup, but it's not exactly an irregular occurrence here in the Land Of Smiles.

Post by **News** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:54 pm

klikster wrote:
redzonerocker wrote:
buksida wrote:
Its called a principle mate, nothing to do with CH3-CH2-OH really.
i dont understand what the principle is?
Actually, I guess I do understand it as a principle, just perhaps a bit different.

Thailand is about to engage in a democratic process the likes of which is actually somewhat rare in SE Asia .. and many other parts of the world. I wonder if the Burmese would like to be voting in a freely contested election right now?

This particular inconvenience normally happens once in 4 years. Huge sacrifice for farangs, right? Nah!

Just think of it as doing some tiny part of participating in Thailand's attempt at democracy .. as a matter of principle.

As you say, once in four years is nothing to get wound up about, it's just the timing this year and the added effect of the 'pre vote' which as far as I know has never been inforced before.
Also the subtle change in rules on pre vote day when, although bars in Bangkok reopened at 6.00pm, people in Hua Hin had to wait until 10.00 before the MIB gave the all clear.
It would seem as though some 'influential people' have been pulling strings to ensure that the tourists in particular were being influenced to return to their hotels to watch the football and have a drink.
Now we hear that the bars are to close on Christmas Eve, admittedly it is a Buddhist day but this has never affected anyone before. If the powers that be also decide that no alchohol is to be available on New Years Eve
the we will know that the end is nigh for the bar business.

Post by **Vital Spark** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:18 pm

We went to our favourite watering hole today and it was business usual. We didn't want to put them in an awkward situation so we said that we knew that alcohol was banned tomorrow (the big day), but if we felt the need could we have our usual? To put you in the picture this is a shop/restaurant run by an old lady and her two unmarried daughters. They thought about it for a millisecond and replied (in Thai) 'Of course you can have a beer. You're not Thai, you can't vote, so the alcohol ban doesn't apply to you.'

These two girls are abiding by the rules, but can see something that the so-called educated people who run the country can't. Wouldn't it be rather nice if the law-makers had the same mindset as two lower-educated law-abiding lasses. (Sorry it's come out like a tongue-twister

)

News: Since when has Christmas Eve been a Buddhist Day?

VS

PS: Happy Christmas

Post by **Wanderlust** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:24 pm

Vital Spark wrote:These two girls are abiding by the rules, but can see something that the so-called educated people who run the country can't. Wouldn't it be rather nice if the law-makers had the same mindset as two lower-educated law-abiding lasses. (Sorry it's come out like a tongue-twister )

News: Since when has Christmas Eve been a Buddhist Day?

VS

PS: Happy Christmas

VS,
You took the words right out of my mouth!

Post by **lomuamart** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:55 pm

klikster wrote:
redzonerocker wrote:
buksida wrote:
Its called a principle mate, nothing to do with CH3-CH2-OH really.
i dont understand what the principle is?
Actually, I guess I do understand it as a principle, just perhaps a bit different.

Thailand is about to engage in a democratic process the likes of which is actually somewhat rare in SE Asia .. and many other parts of the world. I wonder if the Burmese would like to be voting in a freely contested election right now?

This particular inconvenience normally happens once in 4 years. Huge sacrifice for farangs, right? Nah!

Just think of it as doing some tiny part of participating in Thailand's attempt at democracy .. as a matter of principle.

I'd go along with what you've said there.
I suppose the timing of it is all wrong?

Hua Hin Forum

Another Alcohol Ban?

tuk tuk & motor bike taxi

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Re: principle

Re: principle

Re: principle