PHUKET: Four Phuket bar manager-cashiers were arrested today soon after midnight as police preserved the sanctity of one of the special days in the Buddhist calendar.
The arrests were made by officers from Karon Police Station, upholding the Thai law that prohibits the sale of alcohol on Visakha Bucha Day.
The first arrest at the holiday spot on Phuket's west coast came at 12.50am when officers nabbed Napaporn Wopang, 34, at a no-name bar in Kata Centre.
Other arrests followed in quick succession. Next to be nabbed was Nantapat Pichitrat, 42, at 1am, followed by Saisuda Leantog, 20, at 1.20am and Weera Samkatoke, 22, at 1.25am.
The ban on alcohol sales is nationwide and enforced. Nightspots in Phuket's main nightlife centre, Patong have long acknowledged the need to obey the law on the four most special days of the Buddhist calendar.
Some concessions are made in that resorts on Phuket with international guests are seldom included in police checks.
A traditional candlelight procession will be held tonight at temples through Thailand, although rain looked likely to interrupt ceremonies on Phuket.
Although the maximum penalty for breaching the law is six months in prison, a 10,000 baht fine or both, offenders are usually fined 500 baht to 2000 baht.
The arrests were made by officers from Karon Police Station, upholding the Thai law that prohibits the sale of alcohol on Visakha Bucha Day.
The first arrest at the holiday spot on Phuket's west coast came at 12.50am when officers nabbed Napaporn Wopang, 34, at a no-name bar in Kata Centre.
Other arrests followed in quick succession. Next to be nabbed was Nantapat Pichitrat, 42, at 1am, followed by Saisuda Leantog, 20, at 1.20am and Weera Samkatoke, 22, at 1.25am.
The ban on alcohol sales is nationwide and enforced. Nightspots in Phuket's main nightlife centre, Patong have long acknowledged the need to obey the law on the four most special days of the Buddhist calendar.
Some concessions are made in that resorts on Phuket with international guests are seldom included in police checks.
A traditional candlelight procession will be held tonight at temples through Thailand, although rain looked likely to interrupt ceremonies on Phuket.
Although the maximum penalty for breaching the law is six months in prison, a 10,000 baht fine or both, offenders are usually fined 500 baht to 2000 baht.
Never quite understood the logic of this, you cannot buy alcohol, but nothing stopping you from buying booze the day before which I'm sure will last the next day, which seems to defeat the point I'm sure. Perhaps it would be better just to ban drinking alcohol rather than being able to purchase it ?
Posted by reader on May 24, 2013 21:43