Lord Thaksin commands: thou shall not drink...

[buksida]

Saturday afternoon, Big C shopping centre, Phetchaburi ...

They have such a better range of goods here than in Hua Hin so I figured a weekend shopping session was long overdue. Now after pushing an overloaded trolley full of baby clothes, milk, nappies and groceries around this place for over an hour while the missus goes deep undercover into the depths of anti-wallet covert shopping action, I feel its almost destiny that befalls me when I reach the elusive beer aisle...

Disappointed that they don't have cases of Tiger yet, I opt for the regular fridge filler and slide a slab of Chang into the already burgeoning trolley, plus a bottle of the new San Miguel brew just for experimental purposes.

Finally we steer the uncontrollable beast towards the check out and jostle for position like an F1 driver just out of the pits. Through the gates, the tally is offensive but manageable, trolley in need of new wheels but loaded up and ready for the downhill slide when from nowhere, as if beamed down from the starship Enterprise herself, appear the Big C anti beer security squad.

Apparently, according to a new law passed by the Almighty “Toxin” himself, they are not allowed to sell alcohol until 5pm … its just gone four. The situation that ensues is somewhat comical but more distressing than it should be as the “beer pigs” rummage through my already paid for shopping cart in search of any contraband. My slab of Chang and experimental bottle of San Mig are wrenched from the trolley as the frustrated cashier fumbles at the controls trying to recalculate my tab.

Disgruntled but accepting the fact that this country is rapidly turning into a subtle but clearly present state of dictatorship I head back for Hua Hin with my violated groceries.

The thoughts running through my mind as I finally get to sup an elusive “cold one” while writing this is … “whatever next?”

[lomuamart]

This is an old regulation that is now being partially enforced. Thaksin has decided that there are too many young Thais drinking too much. Not good for the moral fabric of society.
So, "off", rather than "on" sales of alcohol are now restricted to 11am-2pm and 5pm to midnight.
I'd heard that Big C's around the country were following this rule. Also saw signs in a 7-11 in HH a while back saying the same thing. The particular outlet had taken the signs down the last time I was there.
Your local shop will still sell you the necessary cold beers after a hard day on the beach. They're not going to miss out on trade.
It seems a bit like all petrol stations and department stores closing early to save on fuel bills. That regulation didn't last long. Perhaps when the teenage Thais discover binge drinking, Mr T will realise that allowing people to buy booze when they want, rather than forcing them to concentrate their efforts, will generally reduce drunkenness.

[Wanderlust]

Maybe Mr T thinks that people don't use their phones as much when they could be out buying booze?
It's quite ironic really that the UK had stricter opening hours for decades and yet Brits abroad were renowned for being lager louts, as well as under age drinking being rife (well it was when I was growing up!) and yet this information doesn't seem to have filtered through to the powers that be here. They are making the classic mistake that many parents make of telling their children not to do something, thus instantly making it the only thing they want to do, to see why they shouldn't! Or maybe he has a cunning plan.....? He is going to allow casinos to be opened and these will be the only 24 hour places you can drink? You have to produce 6 months of paid AIS bills to be allowed to buy alcohol? (I hope he doesn't read this forum or it might give him some ideas!).

[SHADOW]

Moves maybe afoot to stop off sales on Sundays and no off sales at gas stations. And a total ban of alchol on school premises, not sure if that is when it's open or when there is a fete or movie going on!! Will have to ckeck out the school near me and see if the kids are taking their empties home.
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There's no such thing as a free lunch

[Rider]

Roll on the next general election!!
Then again if its as bent as the last on what hope do we have
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http://www.divinglore.com

http://www.ontheroadthailand.com

[Stormy]

While i am usualy suffering big pangs of jelousy of you guy permanently in HH, it looks like those of us suffering the wet and cold back in blighty finaly have a advantage - from november bars in the UK can open 24 hours!!! My missus is conviced my liver will implode by xmas.
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Mature student (Geology) lives with girlfriend and likes the usual guy stuff

[niceday]

I see they have the cigs in cupboards now in the franchise stores with the door open and healthy helps you piss tea in there place. makes me want to smoke so much but im not stupid enough to fall for it. just a clever stunt because the stats show that kids start smoking to rebel so this increases this factor gets a higher number of kids smoking and hooked for life. Kids are just suckers who pay for life to the fag companies.

That time for selling alcohol can be bypassed by going to a normal little thai shop rather thanbig c or tesco or 7eleven. People at home always stock up for christmas day and other days when bars are closed so this will hopefully sell more drink than before and looks good too for the politicans.
It helps sell drink with the rebel factor too for thai youngsters.

So everybody wins except the young ones and except the others excepting the politicans.

Don't forget to stock up.