Govt clampdown on alcohol sales

[HHTel]

Isn't this a great idea to boost tourism and make people feel happy!

Alcohol beverages can now only be sold from 11.00 am – 2.00 pm and from 5.00 pm – 12.00 am every day.

An announcement was made today by the Prime Minister’s Office on the 2015 law regulating alcohol sales which takes effect today.

At all other times, alcohol sales are strictly forbidden with the exception of at international airport terminals and legally registered entertainment venues which have laws that strictly govern the periods they can operate daily.

Director-general of the office of the Alcohol Control Committee Mr Samarn Futrakun stated the core substance of the new regulation remains the same in that the permissible duration for daily alcohol sales to be capped at 10 hours.

Airports however are given the same allowance as before while entertainment venues which in the past were allowed to sell alcohol from 9.00 pm – 2.00 am can only do so up to midnight.

This means that in total, night time entertainment venues can only legally sell alcohol for 5 hours every day which in total is less than regular restaurants.

As for the reason for the new regulation governing alcohol sales, he stated that the old law was problematic as it did not cover every aspect.

The new law however takes into account every type restaurant and other venues selling alcohol.

Also, the old law allows for wholesale purchase of alcohol in excess of 10 liters to be made at any time of the day while any purchase under 10 liters can only be made at the specified times.

The new regulation does not allow for this, what matters now are the stated hours for purchase or sale of alcohol irrespective of quantity.

Violation of the law is subject six months imprisonment and/or a 10,000 Baht fine.

Source:EnglishNews

[HHTel]

Can't believe nobody has commented on this. There are already instances in BKK where police have told bar owners not to sell drinks in the afternoon. So far it's been warnings. It's crazy!

Any BIB on here that can share the BIB's attitude to the new law in Hua Hin?

[Vital Spark]

Isn't this a great idea to boost tourism and make people feel happy!

I agree with HHTel. Hot air or not (Nokyai), it's in the press, and I feel sorry for small restaurant and bar owners who may end up with a hefty fine. On a personal note, we usually buy our beer and wine (more than 10 litres) from Makro during our weekly shop on a Friday afternoon. According to the new 'law', this is now not possible. What about the shopkeepers who buy their stock during that time?

What the government have failed to notice is that a lot of the drunk drivers are supping lao khao from little brown bottles refilled by mom and pop shops (at any time of day or night).

Let's hope that this stupid idea is put to bed quietly, like all the other ridiculous schemes.

VS

[HHTel]

Well, what a surprise. The BIB visited some bars and restaurants in HH today pointing out the new alcohol law. My friend has a restaurant but the BIB said that not ALL restaurants are exempt. I can see this being solved by yet another gratuitous payment from the already struggling bar owners. Has Prayuth relinquished Buddhism and become a Mormon??!! Great twist in the middle of the high season. Tourists are really going to endear themselves to this country!

Moderators: Maybe the last few posts should be moved to a new thread 'New Alcohol Laws'.

[Lung Per]

This probably aimed at Thais,,,,,,

[GLCQuantum]

I think the country could take a massive step forward if they forgot about all these 'times you can buy alcohol' rubbish, and just completely banned Lao Kao. Anyone caught drinking said poison being instantly put in 3 month isolation - away from civilization...

[richard]

I think the country could take a massive step forward if they forgot about all these 'times you can buy alcohol' rubbish, and just completely banned Lao Kao. Anyone caught drinking said poison being instantly isolated - away from civilization...

Are you living in dream world? Deprive 80% of the population from their juice? The Reds, Yellows, Greens, Blues, Blacks and some farangs, and they would hang draw and quarter you Next thing you will recommend is banned is

[GLCQuantum]

I think the country could take a massive step forward if they forgot about all these 'times you can buy alcohol' rubbish, and just completely banned Lao Kao. Anyone caught drinking said poison being instantly isolated - away from civilization...

Are you living in dream world? Deprive 80% of the population from their juice? The Reds, Yellows, Greens, Blues, Blacks and some farangs, and they would hang draw and quarter you Next thing you will recommend is banned is

The only people that drink that stuff are people with an, let's say, undesirable character. How many women have you seen knocking it back? If they could focus on the Lao Kao problem instead of punishing the sensible drinker, well...

... that would make a little too much sense for comfort, I'm sure.

[Spitfire]

Has Prayuth relinquished Buddhism and become a Mormon??!!

Was the 2nd 'm' in Mormon a typo, might not need it.

[margaretcarnes]

The only people that drink that stuff are people with an, let's say, undesirable character. How many women have you seen knocking it back? If they could focus on the Lao Kao problem instead of punishing the sensible drinker, well...

... that would make a little too much sense for comfort, I'm sure. [/quote]

Much as I agree with you GLC about Lao Khao (see my column this week) there's at least one mod on here who wouldn't! And who certainly isn't an undesirable character.

But yes you're right I've never seen women drinking it. However I've never seen women chewing betel either, but I'm sure they still do out in the sticks.

The whole thing is barmy IMO and yes is probably aimed at increasing back handers. The tourists who go for Chang and Singh cos they've seen it at home and trust it will suffer, whule locals drink driving will carry on doing so.

[Takiap]

What a funny place we have chosen to stay in. Just last night I ordered and drank a large Chang at a mom and pop shop owned by a policeman, and yes, it was after midnight.


Shop owners typically don't buy the alcohol from supermarkets; they have it delivered or the buy it from the Thai wholesale outlets, so I can't see them being affected. Regardless of all the various alcohol laws which have come and gone over the years, I have never been refused a beer at any Thai mom and pop shop ever since I first arrived here in 1997.

Sadly though, restaurants and bars will surely suffer from this latest law, and as someone else has mentioned, it's in the press so yet another thing for tourists to consider.


I also agree that this law is almost certainly aimed at Thais, but let's face it, the government can't exactly include a clause which says foreigners are exempt. I don't think the Thais would be very happy if Burmese workers were able to drink legally while Thais can't.


And here I was thinking that "Thailand" means Land of the Free.

[Big Boy]

The only people that drink that stuff are people with an, let's say, undesirable character. How many women have you seen knocking it back? If they could focus on the Lao Kao problem instead of punishing the sensible drinker, well...

... that would make a little too much sense for comfort, I'm sure.

I haven't seen many drinking it, but very popular here in Hua Hin is a Thai dessert made with it (and quite generous amounts) that many women enjoy, including Mrs BB.

Mrs BB is not supposed to drink, so she has to be rationed with the amount she is allowed.

Also, it is the key ingredient of a 'medicinal' drink that is very strong, and drunk in large amounts by women. I just know the drink as Gonk. Women in the UK substitute the Lao Kao with vodka because of availability problems.

So, straight Lao Kao - no. Disguised Lao Kao - yes, often in copious amounts. Mrs BB's Gonk bottle has a 1 gallon capacity. The Lao Kao (6 bottles at a time) is easily transformed into Gonk - takes 24 hours. She drinks it for medicinal purposes only, but because of her underlying problem, I limit her to a maximum of one small glass per day.

[dtaai-maai]

Mrs BB is not supposed to drink, so she has to be rationed with the amount she is allowed.

We had the same problem with my Aunt Kate...

rationing.jpg (7.22 KiB) Viewed 982 times

[Big Boy]

I wish

[crazy88]

Are they actually enforcing it in town?

I could certainly get a yadong with a beer chaser well after 12pm where I am.



Crazy 88