Smoking in bars and restaurants

[usual suspect]

As far as I am aware
the 'smoking-ban' that was introduced some months ago,as of June 1st
became legal and a finable offence.
This applies to Smokers in bars and restaurants in HH (and poss.rest of
the LOS).
So then. How come last night I went out to eat and as the r/rant filled
around me every patron lit-up,there was ashtrays on every table and I
was a minority.
Are open-plan r/rants exempt? Do you need to 'donate' to a MIB-sponsored fund on a monthly basis?
I stopped off at the restaurant next door (which applies the ban,and was empty) to ask the owner about this and she
says she cannot get a clear answer over this.
She'd been to the police and to the amphor and they just shrugged.
(She thought the policy was to keep owners in the dark, let people
keep smoking, then (as usual), have a night of police raids and rake-in
lots of big fines).
Can anybody out there shed more light over the legal-side of this issue?
(I am a non-smoker, but do not hold any grudges against smokers)
On a lighter note,one bar in Kao-Takiap has 'No-smoking' notices
on every table...held down with ashtrays...ha,haa.

[lomuamart]

Have a look at this thread. It might go some way to explain things:
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/sm ... t8519.html

[sandman67]

I was party to a conversation between a farang bar owner (and his lawyer) and the poor police officer who came round some of the binta-bars two weeks ago trying to tell bar owners they had to stop smoking inside bars.

Seems the local police had taken it on themselves to enforce a smoking ban in bars....unfortunately they hadn't checked the law properly.

The police rep told the bar owner was he had to stop smoking in his bar. As usual of late no official letter...just the word of the officer.

Bar owner called his lawyer in BKK..... he was told no it doesn't apply to open fronted premises....only ones with air con that are closed off (like O'Neills & The Hilton or some of the restaurants).

The police duly sodded off....so maybe they were aware of the law after all and were just pulling another sabre rattling / screw bar owners exercise

[Big Boy]

In answer to the OP, I only found one establishment breaking the new law during my recent visit - all others were forcing customers outside.

[rowdy]

I was up north last April and was rather surprised to see a couple open air resterant bars ahd actually devided the area to accomadate for a smoking and non smoking side.

[raphoedon]

As a frequent visitor to HH, my trip in May was the first time that I noticed a change. Having "endured" the smoking ban in the UK for over two years now, I looked forward to a pint and a ciggy in my favourite early evening pub - O`Neils. Dissapointed I still went in the early evening but noticed a significant drop in numers of punters. Being outside I also saw groups of people 3-4 or more, coming to the bar and leaving without spending in search of a bar where the can have a beer and a smoke. It must be very difficult for those that are made to complie to compete with those who are not. [quote][/quote]

[HughHO]

Never forget the first rule.. This Is Thailand. Well for the last few weeks MOrning Night Bar on Soi See (Nana) has signs about no smoking and it was observed asto the line at the front. Hua Hin, it was cigars Mai Pen Rai! I fired up a stoggie at Lucuky Luke and Happy Toro. Weatrher the play into the mix of open air and partially covered etc. who knows. Whilst at Luvky Luck a Moto Copper popped in for a free sprite and noted my smoking, Why? He asked Habanos while making the sniffing sounds to indicate that it smelled good but was lookking at my shirt pocket to see if he could toch me up for a free Cuban Cigar. No cigar! And no problem about smoking well under the covered section as I a sit at the bar guy!