"Makha Bucha" festival Bar Closures day ?

[usman2004]

Dear Seniors.

 

Feb 18 th The Public Holidays and Bar Closures in Thailand due to "Makha Bucha" festival. (Historically always mandatory bar closure (or no alcohol allowed) on this day) is it true? Bar & Massage parlour are closed this day (Feb 18th ). Please advice!

 

 

usman2004

[Grimm]

Okay first -- What would inspire you to think this question was a trip report. Maybe you should wait until you've done Makha Bucha and then tell us about how your survived.

 

Second -- it takes very little scanning through to see that the bars never know for sure what will be a wet or dry holiday until it happens. But you already answer your question by saying its closed. I think you will find that you might just need to stock the room fridge for that day, though I've never yet been in Patts when there wasn't booze being served somewhere legally or illegally.

 

Don't fret your trip based on a 24 hour holiday.

[joekicker]

Generally, Pattaya bars are "requested" to close for Maka Bucha, and the "request" comes about one day before the actual holiday. Closure is the way to bet, but you just never know for sure.

 

.

[CheshireTom]

Dear Seniors.

 

Feb 18 th The Public Holidays and Bar Closures in Thailand due to "Makha Bucha" festival. (Historically always mandatory bar closure (or no alcohol allowed) on this day) is it true? Bar & Massage parlour are closed this day (Feb 18th ). Please advice!

 

 

usman2004

 

Yes and no. The law was amended in 2009 to specifically formalise the ban on the sale of alcohol on the Buddhist holidays. On a positive note, it was then further amended to exempt hotels from the ban.

 

By the virtue of the provisions of Section 4 and Section 28 of the Alcohol Control Act, B.E. 2551 (2008), which contains provisions in relation to the restriction of Rights and Liberties of the persons, in respect of which Section 29 in conjunction with Section 41, Section 43, and Section 45 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand so permit by virtue of provisions of law; the Prime Minister with recommendations of the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee hereby issues a notification as follows:

 

Clause 1. There shall be no person selling alcoholic beverage on Magha Puja Day, Visakha Puja Day, Asalha Puja Day, and Buddhist Lent Day.

 

Clause 1. The provision of Clause 1 of the Announcement of the Office of the Prime Minister, RE: Determination of Days of Prohibition of Alcohol Beverage ales, B.E. 2552 (2009), dated 30 June 2009, shall be repealed and replaced by the following:

 

“There shall be no person selling alcohol beverage on Magha Puja Day, Visakha Puja Day, Asalha Puja Day, and Buddhist Lent Day, except the sales in hotels under the law on hotel.”

Edited January 10, 2011 by CheshireTom

[usman2004]

Yes and no. The law was amended in 2009 to specifically formalise the ban on the sale of alcohol on the Buddhist holidays. On a positive note, it was then further amended to exempt hotels from the ban.

 

 

Oh dear CheshireTom

 

Thanks for the actual reply

[captcraig2]

Excellent trip report...Now when you get back home make sure you give us all the details....By the way....details get posted in the The Market section of the board!

[Kev]

Now now guys you know you are not allowed to be critical to trip reports

[shambley]

These exempt hotels have a friendly visit by BIB - advised to close - they close - some things are obvious and not fooked with

 

yea ive been to LOS only once - and yes witnessed hotels saying open until a bib smiled and said your closed ok?

 

The bugger was I asked and could of stocked the fridge grrrr

[lovedog100]

Well that does it. If they are going to close bars for a day. I'M GOING HOME !!

[davethailand]

I think we were closed last year.

:)

[MM]

I think we were closed last year.

:)

 

I just checked. We were open last year. I doubt we will be this year.

[CheshireTom]

I just checked. We were open last year. I doubt we will be this year.

 

It was on the 28th Feb last year. You started a very helpful thread on the day.

 

 

Macha Bucha 2010

Edited January 13, 2011 by CheshireTom