Bars closed in April? Anyone know when?

[EL BLOBBO X]

A girl told me the bars will be closed for 4 days sometime before Songkran. Anyone know if this is correct? If yes, what dates?

Im going to Pattaya 6-10th so I bet my money that is when the bars will be closed. =(

 

[Lores R]

Pretty sure there's no nation wide thing on but lots of areas are having local orbator elections.

 

[ANON123456]

An earlier thread mentioned an election in Phuket on april 20th, which meant bars were closed on the 19th and 20th I think.

 

[pureinsomniac]

Well if it's in the Gazette then it must be true!!!!

Bar owners bamboozled by 30-day booze banPHUKET: In a hastily arranged press conference, the Ministry of Interior has announced a month-long ban of alcohol sales throughout Phuket, effective today.

Vice Minister Dumwrong Raknaa told the Gazette that the booze ban will, in one clean swoop, further the Ministry’s dual aims of celebrating the nation’s return to democracy and promoting traditional Thai values.

As Thailand’s face to the world, Phuket will be an important testing ground for a possible nationwide trial prohibition period of 90 days, tentatively scheduled to kick off on New Year’s Eve 2008.

Asked why the ban would be imposed coinciding with the usually boisterous Songkran Festival celebrations, V/Min Dumwrong said, “Tourists don’t want to see people drinking, throwing water around or having uncontrolled fun. This is as important to the development of the country as the One Tambon One Product initiative. In fact, we’d like to call this our One Village One Vice project.”

A number of alternative activities are being planned. “People who would normally while away their time and liver tissue by drinking are invited to learn about our great cultural traditions, such as fruit carving and basket weaving,” he said.

Free activity stations will be set up along Soi Bangla, Soi Paradise and other major nightlife entertainment areas, he added.

Police spokesman Col Onanong “On” Thetake said police welcomed the move. “We were suffering from crackdown confusion. We kept getting the days mixed up regarding when we were supposed to enforce alcohol bans during election periods, what time of day retailers were allowed to sell alcohol, closing times on bars and pubs....” he said.

“Running the ban continuously for 30 days will eliminate any further confusion on all these issues,” he added.

Coinciding with the ban is an announcement declaring a national April Fuel Day, during which all citizens will be encouraged to save energy and support alternative fuel initiatives.

Bar owners in particular are urged to contribute to the program by donating stockpiles of unconsumed beer, wine and spirits to the Ministry, for conversion into fuel.

Several Patong Municipality officials have already volunteered to handle the collection of alcohol donations. Pickup trucks will be stationed at collection points along the beach road, Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd and Soi Bangla. The vehicles will be readily identifiable by their blue flashing undercarriage lights and dark windows.

Club & Restaurant Association of Patong (CRAP) spokesperson Lars DeWindger said, “This is an outrage. The only way these guys are getting any of my beer is by prying the bottle out of my cold, dead hand!”

He added that he was planning to organize street protests in the heart of Patong.

“There will be placards. Marching bar girls, angry club owners and more fuming katoey than have ever been assembled in one place at one time will come together as one to demand fairness. Our traditional way of life is being put at risk,” he said.

 

[Flatt]

Hmmm going to Phuket the 3 April would be nice to know if you have to buy something to drink in the Airport ??

Do this will have effect on everything it think of all Bars, resturants, hotels and shops.

It will be hard to be on vacation for 2 week without any chance to get a Beer :erf:

 

[DrummerAdam]

Its a total ban.. No alcohol at all.

 

[time.]

Last time that happened the authorities ordered the hotel housekeepers to remove anything they spotted in the room.
What surprised me is that the went through the luggage and asked the guests to show them the inside of the safe.

 

[Wott Wott]

All the beer collected on those weeks that would not be delivered to bio-fuel
programs, will be put on auction on every Phuket police stations.
So don't worry about not getting your beer!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hope that some of your local guys can confirm that this i an Aprils fool

 

[Thom]

Heard that has happened others too.. Scary shit when they look through your stuff...


What makes you think that? Why would we make such a thing up?????

 

[Geri M]

Just re-booked my April trip.

Thai Airways charged me $100 USD, for re-booking fee, but no way I'm going to holiday in Phuket in April, now! Hotel confirmed the ban, and upset with my change there, also. I bet they are losing ton's of money over this foolishness!

Have re-booked my arrival for May 15th. Anyone know the exact day that the 30 day ban will end?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Nice have no chance of rebook so perhaps 2 weeks in the sun without a cold beer !!!!!

 

[Neha R]

...................May 32nd.

 

[Froggy McFrogfeet]

Just got a SMS from a BG friend.

She says that most of the BG's she knows, are going home now for Songkran. "No alcohol, no farang customer now"...she says. :grrrrrr:

 

[aliceperez77]

Man...that's going to be a looooong month! 55555:

 

[Paranormal Kitty]

I just heard that they have declared all BG's witches and that they are at this very moment herding them up to be burned at the stake in the town square. Can someone confirm? I may have to change my flight.

 

[Mr.CeeCee Flash]

Hey, come on Dupree!!!!

This is no time for joking!

It's a serious matter! :aww: :grrrrrr:

It now looks like I have to re-book again....sometime after May 32nd!

 

[annmic]

never seen so many balony on april fools day 5555555555555555

 

[Paradise Regained]

Had me sweating until I read it again... nice one!:zzz: :rules: :

 

[Pompal 09.]

My multi sponsored TG 'Rosie' who is a highly active cashier from Soi 6 sent me a similar email..She added that many smart farang tourists book some of the few guest house rooms available in the Issan villages. First the ban is hardly enforced there. Second there are counless of the best girls available for 500 baht LT.BTW I call her Rosie because of the way her after my visit to an Australian optometrist.