Alcohol to be banned in new alcohol-free zones to be created within 6 months
The government on Monday added a clarification as to what "near" means in the vaguely worded junta order banning alcohol sales "near" educational institutions. The clarification comes after a weekend of confusion and conjecture over exactly what the government was doing with regards to alcohol sales.
Enforcement will depend on the creation of new "entertainment zones" where alcohol can be sold and new "alcohol-free zones" where alcohol cannot be sold.
These new zones will update the last set of zones which were created in 2002. The zoning process will take 180 days (6 months). Until then, the spokesman said there's nothing that says existing operators cannot sell alcohol within 300 metres of any school, although police did start enforcing the alcohol ban immediately, raiding and shutting down pubs near Rangsit University in Pathum Thani and the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) this weekend.
What happened was that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) published an order under Section 44 of the interim constitution last week stating only that alcohol could not be sold "near" schools, colleges and universities, but did not set a radius for the alcohol-free zones (dry zones). That order came after the cabinet approved Prime Minister's Office regulations banning alcohol within 300 metres of universities and technical colleges. However, that directive has not been published in the Royal Gazette yet and would not become law until 30 days after it was so published. The seemingly overlapping orders left both the public and police confused over what areas were legal to sell alcohol in, with many speculating that large swathes of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket would be designated dry zones.
Under the old zoning scheme, many bars are said to have been operating illegally, but under the new zoning scheme, those bars may end up becoming legal. Zoning of entertainment areas should be done every two years.
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ALCOHOL
Booze rules dispirit customers, bar owners
Critics complain new curbs on alcohol sales go too far and hurt business
25/07/2015
Dumrongkiat Mala
Pubs and restaurants surrounding the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) have gone quiet as blasting music along the streets was shut off from 9pm.
"Police asked us to close early tonight due to the new law that bans alcoholic drink sales near universities and vocational colleges," said Weerapol Sirikulsing, owner of Sanrak Hut, a liquor outlet near the university.
The alcohol ban is an amendment of Section 44 of the interim charter which was signed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday.
Under the new restrictions, any pub or nightclub that allows entry for or sells alcohol to people aged under 20, or operates after the legal hours will have its licence revoked, or will be ordered to shut for five years.
Bars, restaurants, and convenience stores are also banned from selling alcohol near schools, universities, and student accommodation (student dormitories) with "near" meaning within 300m.
The new law is part of a junta campaign to impose order during nighttime hours which includes new measures to get rid of the teenage street racers (or dek wen) who can typically be heard racing around the streets of Bangkok in the wee hours of the morning.