Bars closed for Wisakha Bucha Day, May 13

[Big Boy]

I've just read that bars are closed tomorrow in respect of Wisakha Bucha Day. I haven't read it on the forum yet, so thought I'd mention it.

[lomuamart]

Another lock down. Popped over the road earlier for a couple of beers and the roads are packed again. I reckon that the locals are lucky in April and May for public holidays. When do they ever work?

[oakdale160]

Tuesday, not a great day for a holiday, but not a bad day for a no beer day.

[uncle tom]

Is there any specific religious significance with regard to alcohol here, or is it just a more general 'respect' thing?

I'm thinking that if it's the latter, could there be scope for agreeing 'no music' nights on Buddha days - which wouldn't bother many - instead of bar closures?

[GLCQuantum]

I, personally, find it extraordinary that bar closures need to be announced.

It's like the opposite of Alcoholic's Anonymous.

Are some people really that into girls and alcohol...

Even if you went down there, only to find it's closed, there are plenty of restaurants to enjoy yourself in near by. Maybe no prostitutes or alcohol, though...

Edit: Saying that, if there was a coming dry period of 'God's gift' to the world, I would like to be informed in advance .

[buksida]

Bit of a silly generalization that GLC; maybe some are just on vacation here for a few days and fancy a couple of drinks in the evening. If the town is closed it would be pertinent to let them know about it on this forum, for that is its purpose.

[GLCQuantum]

True Buksida, I didn't really put much thought into that one. I certainly didn't think about those pesky tourists.

My mistake.

[oakdale160]

It used to be that the 5star hotels were exempted, not true any more.
Also many restaurants closed, probably to give the staff the evening at home, that's fine with me. I have much more problem with the election closures.

[dalmatiandave]

At midnight yesterday when the bars were closing my party moved onto the Hilton. Seems odd you can listen to a band playing and continue to drink with Thais and foreigners till 2am whilst all other establishments are closed out of respect for Buddha.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk

[uncle tom]

OK guys, take your ex-pat (or semi ex-pat) hats off..

..for the ordinary Joe enjoying his two weeks freedom from wage slavery, a night of closed bars is a real bummer, and something that's going to weigh heavily when he decides where next to spend his precious days of freedom.

Closed bars - even for one day - is not good for Thai tourism.

If there's a way of keeping the bars open without giving offence it should be pursued.

[oakdale160]

You are a very sociable guy, uncle tom and are representative of many or even most of the ex pts in the bars on BB, there for the fun and comradie, not there to get drunk, not there just to meet and pick up a compensated companion for the night but to have a few drinks, have a few laughs, talk to a few friendly Thai girls and boost the Thai economy. Your needs should be respected.

[Pleng]

I didn't really put much thought into that one.

Maybe you should just put that in your sig

[theprice01]

At this time of year isnt more expats then tourists?!?
at the risk of becoming unpopular... i kind of agree with QLCQuantum .
I'm sure one mid-week day of no drinking or girls wouldn't finish off any of the old boys living here

[STEVE G]

We had a party at home and I've got a bigger hangover than if the bars had been open. Personally I've no objection to these closures as long as we're warned about it in advance so the fridge can be filled. When I'm away working, I do a lot of antisocial hours that don't leave much time for drinking so when I take a break, I prefer to enjoy myself.

[uncle tom]

A quick read-up on Buddhism and alcohol suggests there is no specific edict against alcohol, but that good Buddhists should not get drunk as it leads to 'heedlessness'.

The argument for closing bars on Buddhist red letter days looks a bit tenuous, unless backed by statute law.