Thailand's Alcohol-free Election

Thailand's government has decreed that no alcohol will be available during the voting which means two complete week-ends minus alcohol for tourists and locals alike.

I can hardly believe how quiet Bangkok, Thailand is this week-end. The noisy, brash, city of Bangkok is now calm and, almost, peaceful. The reason? Voting in the current election.

Since Friday evening at 6 p.m. until Sunday night at midnight, no alcohol is permitted to be sold in shops, bars, restaurants or hotels! An order such as this would cause riots in many countries, but the Thais seem to accept this with equanimity. This is more surprising when you consider that they regularly refuse to obey edicts like wearing helmets while riding motor cycles, keeping to speed limits, parking in designated areas etc.

Next week-end is the same, and from Friday - Sunday 23rd December, supermarket shelves will be emptied of booze, liquor stores will close (no point in opening), and restaurants and hotels will have to explain patiently to newly arrived visitors to the country, that sorry, but we have no beer - or wine or spirits. It’s a government order.

Imagine how much money is being lost to this law? In the run-up to Christmas this is a calamity, because even though Thais are 98% Buddhist, they love a party, and Christmas with Santa Claus, bright lights and fun has been taken up by one and all.

The hotels seem to be competing with each other to produce the brightest, biggest and most magnificent Christmas tree. Those along the Chao Phraya River, like The Oriental Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, The Shangri-La Bangkok, The Sheraton Riverside Bangkok, and the Marriott Bangkok are the most fun to visit because they can be accessed by boat, a glamorous way to travel.

So, for now, best wishes from Thailand, Land of Smiles, but I can’t offer you a toast - at least not with alcohol!