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Alcohol sales banned
July 11 & 12
Phasakorn Channgam
Back-to-back Buddhist holidays this week mean two dry days in Pattaya as
bars, restaurants and entertainment venues are barred from selling alcohol.
Asalaha Bucha Day, July 11, and Khao Pansaa, or “Buddhist Lent,” July 12,
traditionally have been days when bars were requested to close. However, in 2009
the Prime Minister’s Office issued a no alcohol edict, banning the sale of
alcohol on important religious holidays.
The Notification of the Office of the Prime Minister RE: Determination of Days
of Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverage Sales (No. 2) B.E. 2552 (A.D. 2009), signed
by then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, specifically prohibits the sale of
alcohol on Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Asalaha Bucha Day and Buddhist
Lent holidays.
From 12 a.m. July 11 until midnight July 12, it is against the law for
businessmen to distribute alcohol. This includes bars and restaurants,
supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, and community retail
stores. An amendment to the decree exempts hotels from the ban.
Those caught breaking the law can face up to six months in jail and fines up to
10,000 baht.
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