PATTAYA: -- Supermarkets, shops and corner stores have shelved up and are ready for today’s rush to buy wine, beer and spirits in advance of a two-day prohibition that starts at midnight tonight.
Police officers and city officials have been doing the rounds and reminding alcohol retailers of the ban.
Ex-pats, tourists and locals are stocking up and ready to settle down for a quiet few days holiday as bars all over town will be either closing down or serving only soft drinks.
No booze can be legally bought or sold for 48-hours from midnight tonight.
Penalties for those caught can range from 10,000 baht fines, six months imprisonment or closure of business.
Bars will be open as usual until the stroke of midnight tonight when the shutters will be brought down. At midnight on Wednesday many will re-open.
All banks, government offices and many businesses will be closed. Most currency exchange booths are expected to remain open, as are the ATM facilities.