THAILAND: An alcohol ban is brought in the night before national elections as many expect another conflict might occur after election
Record ID:
561599
THAILAND: An alcohol ban is brought in the night before national elections as many expect another conflict might occur after election
- Title: THAILAND: An alcohol ban is brought in the night before national elections as many expect another conflict might occur after election
- Date: 3rd July 2011
- Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (JULY 2, 2011) (REUTERS) KAOWSARN STREET SHOPPERS WALKING DOWN STREET ENTRANCE TO SILK BAR SIGN THAT READS IN ENGLISH "DUE TO ELECTION DAY ALL ALCHOHOL IS PROHIBITED" (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) SOMCHAI SAOWAPABMONGKOL, SILK BAR MANAGER SAYING: "It is an election law, we have to follow. We are Thai, so we have to respect it." MORE OF STREET WOMAN COOKING AT STALL ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) SIWA JONGSREEKAEW, BANGKOK CITIZEN SAYING: "It is reasonable only for Thais, If Thais drink tonight, may be we cannot focus for tomorrow." BUILGING CONTAINING SHOPS TOURIST EATING DINNER GLASS OF TEA BESIDE MEAL (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHNNY CHIB, TOURIST FROM SINGAPORE SAYING: "We went to party, but without alchohol you can't really get high and, you know, have fun over here. So I think it's kinda bad to not have alchohol tonight." MORE OF STREET
- Embargoed: 18th July 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Thailand, Thailand
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAC17T03RM6Y02VZHUOT3K01DI6
- Story Text: Thailand banned the sale of alcohol for today Saturday (July 2) until Sunday midnight with national elections due to be held tomorrow.
Election days in Thailand are traditionally dry affairs, with alcohol sales banned by the Election Commission and go-go bars closed.
All shops are asked not to sell any alcohol drinks from 6pm today until midnight tomorrow for fear that it could be teated as vote buying.
"It is an election law, we have to follow. We are Thai, so we have to respect it."said the Silk bar manager, Somchai Saowapabmongkol.
Some have suggested the law is beneficial for Thais, though perhaps foreigners could be exempt, which is currently not permitted.
"It is reasonalble only for Thais, If Thais drink tonight, may be we cannot focus for tomorrow." said Bangkok citizen, Siwa Jongsreekaew.
"We went to party, but without alchohol you can't really get high and, you know, have fun over here. So I think it's kinda bad to not have alchohol tonight," said Johnny Chib, a tourist from Singapore.
The penalty for an alcohol ban violation is 6 months imprisonment and fine of up to 10,000 Baht (325USD).
A spoof Web site called "Not the Nation" wondered how the city's foreigners would cope, and whether Thai police were bracing for a weekend of violence from "angry, sober, alcoholic expatriates".
Thailand will hold its general election on July 3, a potentially volatile poll after more than five years of sometimes bloody political conflict.
Ballots will be open from 8:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) until 3:00 p.m. (0800 GMT), with the unofficial result of the vote expect to be before midnight (1900 GMT). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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