Surprise! New booze ban now in effect

[Chang_paarp 253]

Interesting item from Coconuts bangkok

 

Originally from here.

 

 

The map in the article below covers BKK, think about the implications to Pattaya. How close is the school to walking street?

 

Surprise! New booze ban now in effect

By Todd Ruiz July 24, 2015 / 17:11 ICT

ABOVE: Areas affected in Bangkok’s central business district under the 300-meter ban specified in the order signed Monday and expected to go into effect next month. Yesterday a more vaguely worded ban was included in a surprise batch of new laws from the military government which went into immediate effect.

All sales of alcohol near schools nationwide, without exemption or exception, were banned yesterday under a vaguely worded order from the military government.

Although Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha signed a specific order banning alcohol sales within 300 meters on Monday, a new law was unexpectedly published yesterday stating that “no person shall sell alcoholic beverages near the boundary lines of educational institutions or dormitories near educational institutions."

The law includes no language defining how near is “near.” The law includes all schools, not just high schools and universities. The law includes no exceptions or exemptions. The law went into immediate effect. Yesterday.

Thanakorn Kuptajit, president of the Thai Alcoholic Beverage Business Association told Coconuts today it came out of nowhere.

"I was shocked when I found out about this law yesterday," Thanakorn said. "The actual law itself is unable to be interpreted. For example, what distance is considered ‘near?’"

Some alcohol sellers have already warned by officials, he added.

That said it appeared to have a total effect of nothing on Bangkok’s nightlife last night, where it was business as usual in areas which would have been affected by the 300-meter ban such as Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, EmQuartier, Soi Cowboy and many other locations in the central business district. Not to mention nationwide.

As we wrote yesterday, the order Prayuth signed Monday would have, as written, created pockets of prohibition throughout Bangkok by banning all alcohol sales except for registered hotels and the few government-designated entertainment zones such as Patpong, Royal City Avenue-upper Thonglor and the nightclub-adult entertainment stretch of Ratchadapisek Road. It was also to go into effect 30 days after being formally published.

The new law was enacted under the military government’s special powers under Section 44 of the interim charter, along with strict punishment for clubs admitting patrons under 20, street racing and noisy nightclubs.

Oh, and those pockets of prohibition may grown into wider zones of prohibition.

Gen. Paiboon Koomchaya, who serves as Justice Minister, said he’d like to see it increased to 500 meters from schools.

The reason given for the ban is to curtail underage drinking and the scourge of student violence. The groups behind it are a coalition of anti-alcohol crusaders and prohibitionists.

The Thai Alcoholic Beverage Business Association has argued simply enforcing the age limit of 20 for sales would be a better way to address the issue than the outsized impact the law would have, were it to be evenly enforced.

Meanwhile many bar and restaurant owners say they haven’t even heard of the ban.

Additional reporting Porsche Jirapatwong.

[Idefix 2,275]

The map in the article below covers BKK, think about the implications to Pattaya.

How close is the school to walking street?

I don't see any problem here;

Walking Street is probably several km from the nearest such higher education school.

[jacko 8,813]

I don't see any problem here;

Walking Street is probably several km from the nearest such higher education school.

Rereading the ban reports the more general term 'Schools' is being bandied about.

I doubt Walking St would be closed down....more likely to move the school!

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

In a tourist area this is odd. Yes the school is close to bars but the real activity doesn't occur until school is long out. The kids at the school in question (Muang Pattaya 8) walk home, etc and right past many many bars in Pattaya. I imagine they can walk outside where they live and see it for themselves any time they choose, if they choose to.

 

Kinda silly. A law in search of a reason.

[mrlasvegas 124]

Not that odd of a law. We have similar regulations in Las Vegas. No bars or casinos close to a school. Ironically some of the schools are named after bar and casino owners. Existing structures and areas such as entertainment districts are usually exempt.

[Chang_paarp 253]

The rules about no alcohol sales near schools was introduced or a crackdown was happening in about 2005 when a mate had a bar in BKK. The powers that be decided to build a school across the road from his place. So he went into negotiations with the local BIB. Plod told him "No plomblem, you open after the children go home." They carefully ignored his lunch trade.

[Nightrider 340]

Thai laws never cease to amaze.....!!!!

[misteregg 709]

File this one with the baht busses only stopping in designated areas. Never going to happen. Move on please.

[SunnyValentine 173]

File this one with the baht busses only stopping in designated areas. Never going to happen. Move on please.

Or the "We will have elections next Year" sermon ...

[MM 6,562]

Now the Justice Minister is saying the original order under Section 44 dictator rules was "misunderstood" and it will be at least 6 months before the new rules are implemented with newly drawn entertainment zones.

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/635940/paiboon-secton-44-alcohol-ban-misunderstood

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

Quoting from the link you gave us, MM

 

"The seemingly overlapping orders left both the public and police confused over what areas were legal, with tabloid websites speculating that large swaths of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket would be designated... "

The postponing of a decision leaves businesses and tourists just as confused as they were before.

 

Then at the end of the article there is this:

 

"He said zoning of entertainment areas should be done every two years."

 

Wow! Not a good time to be a bar owner.

 

 

[MM 6,562]

I did read, and the article alluded to, that the Bangkok police raided two night spots last night in enforcing this order...which hasn't even been promulgated in the Royal Gazette yet.

They probably made some nice coin out of that move.

[SunnyValentine 173]

The way laws are made in Thailand under Military Dictatorship:

Phase One: Draw up a law without giving any thought on the details.

Phase Two: Publish it.

Phase Three: Weather any storm that might arise from the decision, pointing at the guns dangling on the Generals Belts.

Phase Four: Silently start reading the law that has been drafted, and - oh shock, oh horror - realize that the critics are actually right!

Phase Five: Act tough. Defend the law without giving any considerations on the critics' points (They don't wear guns, so their stupid points don't count), while secretly considering there might be a real problem with the law. Listening to fellow Generals pointing out this law consts them money will speed up things. But generals are strongmen. They can't be seen to listen to counterarguments or voices of reason. That would lead to their demise.

Phase Six: Try to find a way out without looking stupid.

Phase Seven: Find Somchai. Blame him for the misunderstandings. Hint on him being paid by Thaksin or the Jewish World Congress or the Pope, make sure he takes the blame, and fine him heavily.

Phase Eight: Retract the law and establish a commission to discuss the further outcome.

 

Here we are currently somewhere between Phase 6 and 7.

Edited July 28, 2015 by SunnyValentine

[MM 6,562]

I think you may have nailed it, Sunny, except you forgot stage 7 also is an opportunity to blame the USA or the EU for meddling.

[Bushcraft 2,579]

My impression this that this shot-from-the-hip law will be honoured more in the breach, i.e. ignored on the ground whereit might disrupt the status quo, or where a few baht in the right direction will tip the balance.

Probably any visitor to Thailand breaks some Thai law or other as soon as he/she steps off the plane, there is a

plethora of laws that just lie in wait for those who step on the wrong toes or have the nerve to run a business here.

Laws that are not or only partially enforced because nonsensical (e.g. alcohol sales in 711s all day long, but strictly controlled times in supermarkets (WTF?))can suddenly be enforced by knowledgeable police officers if they feel like it.

I don't think that Thai legislators really care how well drafted their laws are, lack of clarity is how the whole place is run, and how corruption becomes the norm.

[Gary 4,118]

It's just another hammer hanging over the people's heads. Laws in Thailand are written so that they can be selectively enforced. Make waves and the government and/or police can find a law on the books to make your life miserable.

[jacko 8,813]

The Government are back-peddling all over the near college sois on this one!

So the rather dodgy Coconuts says.

Edited July 28, 2015 by jacko

[jacko 8,813]

Well it is now in effect....sort of.

Thailand Back to the Booze Ban Future.

 

BANGKOK — There was little noticeably different Friday in Bangkok after a ban on alcohol sales in the “vicinity” of schools and other vaguely defined areas was reauthorized.

About three months after a vaguely worded ban on alcohol sales was shelved for study, the little-changed order published Thursday – and in effect today – again did not give a distance to the prohibition, leaving authorities to enforce the law at their own discretion.

“No person shall sell alcoholic beverage in areas or places near educational institutes or dormitories that are close to educational institutes,” declared the order signed Oct. 12 by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

 

Uncertainty reigns.

Edited October 24, 2015 by jacko