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Songkran on Phuket May Be Wet AND Dry: Alcohol Ban Planned
By Chutima Sidasathian Sunday, April 6, 2014
PHUKET: Next weekend's Songkran New Year Festival will be wet but it could also be dry if Thailand's anti-alcohol campaigners still have time to win a major policy change.
The provincial government that oversees the tourist city of Hua Hin has declared this year's festival to be alcohol-free.
Others in Phuket, Pattaya, Samui and Chang Mai are being asked to follow to save lives on Thailand's roads during a notoriously unsafe week.
The move by the Alcohol Watch group aims to stop outlets selling alcoholic beverages for seven days and specifically mentions Bangkok's Khao San Road, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Samui and other tourist centres.
Bars and restaurants in Phuket's nightlife hub of Patong have already suffered non-alcohol sales days because of the unusually high number of elections being held in 2014. The plan is likely to be opposed by them.
Thailand's Public Health Ministry has said it is considering a Songkran Festival without alcohol and has four options:
.. a one-day ban on alcohol sales;
.. a three-day ban on alcohol sales;
.. a five-day ban on alcohol sales;
.. a seven-day ban on alcohol sales.
Thailand's tourism industry leaders are likely to make the point this week that a seven-day or even a five-day ban would have a damaging effect on a country where a reputation for having a good time is inextricably linked to drinking by many alcohol-dependent Western visitors.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Excellent idea, though many will stock up and get even more drunk than usual (standard in Thailand during other holidays when booze is banned).
I am sick and tired of the drunken idiots who endanger our lives with their selfish antics. Sundays and holidays are the worst.
Luckily this dangerous nightmare of a holiday only lasts a day or two here in Phuket.
Posted by
BigP
on
April 6, 2014 11:37
Do these people not consider thought before making these announcements? No ban on alcohol will alleviate the death toll on the roads during Songkran. The huge majority of these accidents are Thai drivers and from what I have seen Thai people do not drink very often in bars, not to the extent of westerners anyway. Most of their alcohol is consumed at home. All they have to do is go to 7/11 and stock up. All an alcohol ban is going to do is upset thousands of tourist who come here for water fights... during the consumption of alcohol.
Posted by
Sudo Nim
on
April 6, 2014 12:05
Editor Comment:
And the tourists die on the roads, too.
What a completely ridiculous, condescending and xenophobic last sentence to this article. Many visitors are NOT dependent on alcohol to enjoy their holiday. If in doubt have a go at the farang eh, Khun Chitima?
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
April 6, 2014 12:23
Editor Comment:
Alcohol has become an essential for too many, Mister Ree. A reaction against alcohol being linked to enjoyment is now occurring in many places.
I never go out during Songkran, not because I don't enjoy the water, its the ice, jet guns & the powder I hate. I have been near blinded by the powder additives & nearly knocked from my bike by the jet guns & buckets of ice.
That is what should be banned; or in addition to alcohol for 1 day in Phuket. In other provinces Songkran lasts longer hence the talk of longer bans on alcohol.
Posted by
Logic
on
April 6, 2014 12:38
Yes Ed I know tourists die on the roads also, which is why I wrote "huge majority". But while on this subject, last century the USA had their spell of prohibition whereby, all alcohol was banned. What that did was create a monster which, they still have to deal with today, the Mafia. The total ban on drugs has also backfired on them. The point being, no ban on alcohol over Songkran can possibly be implemented. People will find a way round it.
Posted by
Sudo Nim
on
April 6, 2014 13:33
Editor Comment:
The Mafia is an Italian creation, Sudo Nim. Perhaps, as with so many original ideas, Hollywood wants you to believe it's an American concept. Horse drugs these days are said to be safer than alcohol. Perhaps we just need to switch.
So what are you saying ed, mafia does not exist here in Thailand or were you just trying to be a smartarse ????
Sudo Nim was making a (obvious) comparison against banning a particular substance and then people had to go to other extents to get what they needed.
Not that hard to work out is it ?? - Uhh
Posted by
Greg
on
April 6, 2014 14:27
Editor Comment:
As this is your first comment, Greg, you have to catch up on the debate but I can tell you Phuket and Thailand do not have a Mafia. Prohibition in the US was 365 days a year, not just celebrations and festivals.
Well aware of the Italian, Sicilian thing but America was the land of opportunity for these guys during prohibition. Not really taken in by the Hollywood racket. The whole point here is, banning this sort of stuff has never worked. And yes, alcohol is probably worse than all illegal drugs, heroin and crack cocaine aside.
Posted by
Sudo Nim
on
April 6, 2014 15:36
Editor Comment:
The ban is not a Prohibition, SN, just for a few days. Surely you understand the difference.
Banning alcohol isnt a bad thing. I always wonder why so many people get up in arms when it happens. You swear they can only enjoy themselves when they are half cut.
If the decision is made to ban it then we must respect that decision and move on.
Alcohol doesnt dictate the fun and enjoyment i will have - it shouldnt anyone else.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
April 6, 2014 17:21
wow what a great way to damage phukets tourism!!! On a tourist island, have more alcohol bans!!!! The alcohol bans never stop anyone from drinking anyway, they just stop the drinking in bars etc so the Thai business owners lose out is all! Songkran is a celebration day that many people come to see, do you think these people would come back the following year if these stupid rules where to happen? Come on, when will the individuals who make these rules learn how to think in the long view? Fact..without tourism phuket would finish so how about thinking about these decisions so the Thai business owners do not lose out?? For example, if there has to be an alcohol ban for election, then why don't they just ban any selling of alcohol to Thai people?? Farangs can not vote, so why stop them from drinking and why stop them from spending all their money in Thai owned bars, restaurants, clubs etc?? It seems such an easy option to take i can not understand why it is not done this way? Oh, and if it is offensive to be bare chested away from the beach, why is it stated that only expats and tourists are asked to cover up? Why did it not say Thai nationals as well? Or is it that the farang body is offensive (i dont personally believe that as i am always called "handsome man" from the girls in the bars!!), but seriousy, i agree that EVERYONE should be covered up when they go in shops etc, not just a certain ethnic group!
Posted by
mr wolf
on
April 6, 2014 17:53
Editor Comment:
Mr Wolf, an alcohol ban would be an attempt to save lives on the roads so the effect on tourism is always going to come second. People who need a drink will certainly find a way to get one. The bars would lose out, no doubt about that. Countries are better off with one set of laws for everyone, tourists or residents.
I agree Mr editor that countries are better off with one set of rules for tourists and residents, but here in Thailand there are one set of rules for the resident Thai's and one for farang! I'm not moaning about it, "when in Rome, do as Romans do!" and i inderstand what you say about the road safety thing but when the booze is banned on election days people still drink at home and then drive to the elections! so it kind of defeats the purpose! If someone is going to drink and drive they will do it no matter if there is a ban or not, and especially on songkran! its a celebration so people will be getting drunk early if there is a ban, before they go out and join in the water fights etc as they know that once they are out they cant drink (or they have to hide doing it!) so the ban on Songkran could potentially cause more problems on the road by making (some) people get filled up with booze before they go out (in their cars or bikes?) maybe? Lokk at when there are festivals which start early here, you always see people walking around drinking booze very early so its not a new thing. I want safe roads etc too but it can be easy to blindly think that an alcohol ban would cut down on this, you must look at the "pro's AND the cons" when you think about implementing something that could very well cause more problems. Just something to think about! Keep safe everyone!
Posted by
mr wolf
on
April 6, 2014 19:50
Ed, First comment here or elsewhere is irrelevant.
Thailand does have a mafia and it has nothing to do with America, yearly festivities nor any other celebration.
Been here for more than 13 years and for you to tell me I need to catch up and there is no mafia ... ?.
Where have you been or more so what are you up to ??
Posted by
Greg
on
April 6, 2014 20:52
Editor Comment:
We've had this debate at considerable length in your absence, Greg. Thais use the word ''mafia'' to cover gangs of all kinds including some involved in corruption but those who say there is no real Mafia are right. The word is often misused and can be applied to tennis groups or knitting circles these days. There are more accurate words.
Ed just a quick insert about what you said about mafia....
You said the word mafia can be misused and can apply to tennis clubs etc....but you forgot about the obvious one....government!!!! Lol
Posted by
mr wolf
on
April 6, 2014 22:08
DId they not threaten the same thing last year?
Posted by
paul
on
April 7, 2014 08:04
Editor Comment:
Do you mean: ''Did they not make the same plea for a safety campaign?''
Greg, welcome to PW's comments, I think someone needs to warn you, our "beloved" Ed has his own rules and interpretations of words, often flying in the face of accepted definitions, even those from well known and respected dictionaries, it's no good debating the issues, he will simply ban you.
As for an alcohol ban, they not yet brought it in and time is running out, if they were sincere they would have pushed for it much earlier, although let's face it, a total ban is impossible, it's the same we see every year, more words and flag waving, but little effect, or even no attempt to enforce it. Ed, you raised the "safety" issue, yes they should raise it, but they do this almost every other week but what has changed.... so far nothing. Last year 321 killed, 3040 injured, in 2828 accidents, I'll make a prediction, this year will be similar, why, because safety needs to be raised and enforced 365 days a year.
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
April 7, 2014 09:57
There are real mafia there in phuket.
A mafia is an organized crime syndicate who use violent intimidation to manipulate local economic activity (wiki definition). Taxi are, jet ski operators are...
don t say there is no mafia in phuket, this is not true
Posted by
tawan
on
April 7, 2014 10:27
Editor Comment:
There is no Mafia on Phuket. There is ''mafia'' as people define it in the Thai language, small-time gangs and cartels of scammers.
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Excellent idea, though many will stock up and get even more drunk than usual (standard in Thailand during other holidays when booze is banned).
I am sick and tired of the drunken idiots who endanger our lives with their selfish antics. Sundays and holidays are the worst.
Luckily this dangerous nightmare of a holiday only lasts a day or two here in Phuket.
Posted by BigP on April 6, 2014 11:37