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» 03.07.09 Confusion reigns in Phuket over alcohol ban |
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03.07.09 Confusion reigns in Phuket over alcohol ban
Source: Phuketgazette
The
scene on Patong’s Soi Seadragon during the recent visit by several US
Navy ships. Some 5,000 US servicemen spent time on the island without a
single crime or report of disorderly conduct.
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PHUKET: Following a Cabinet resolution late last month banning alcohol sales on Buddhist holidays,
the province is “asking for co-operation” from nightlife entertainment
operators in closing on July 7 and 8 – but local leaders say they have
yet to receive any formal orders making closure an official requirement.
Tuesday, July 7 is Asarnha Bucha Day, and July 8 the first day of Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa).
The
Thai Cabinet has declared Monday, July 6 to Wednesday, July 8 to be
holidays for government workers, while July 7 and 8 will also be bank
holidays.
Phuket City Police Deputy Superintendent Chaiwat
Auykham said bars in Phuket City have been asked to close for the two
days, but that “enforcement” of the voluntary ban in other police
districts was up to the police who have jurisdiction there.
Speaking from Surat Thani, Kathu Police Superintendent Grissak Songmoonark told the Gazette that
bar operators in Patong have already agreed to close down on Asarnha
Bucha Day, when a host of religious and team-building activities have
been arranged by the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA).
For details click here.
As for July 8, Col Grissak said bar owners would be "asked" to cooperate with the no-alcohol ban, as they have in years past.
However,
Col Grissak said his station had yet to receive any official orders
from the district office formally banning alcohol sales on that day.
Kathu Assistant District Officer (Palad) Jatoopong Kaewsai said his office had yet to receive any orders from the province banning alcohol sales on the two days.
It
appears that despite the cabinet resolution, no official orders banning
alcohol sales have made their way through the Interior Ministry to the
province.
An officer at the Phuket Public Relations Office
seemed to confirm this by saying, “It’s not possible to close every
pub, especially in popular tourist destinations like Patong, but most
of them usually co-operate.”
One foreign bar operator on Patong’s Soi Kebsup told the Gazette he planned to close on July 7 and reopen on July 8, but with no alcohol sales.
Whether bars open or not is somewhat of a moot point because there are so few tourists around at the moment, he said.
“It’s completely dead at the moment, worse than it was right after the tsunami,” he said.
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