News Forum - Brew-haha: Thai man fined for boozing outside convenience store

[Thaiger]

A Thai man found himself in a legal quandary after consuming alcohol in front of a convenience store, which resulted in a fine of 1,000 baht by the police. The incident sparked a public inquiry into the legality of drinking in public spaces that are not government premises. The man in question took to social … …

The story Brew-haha: Thai man fined for boozing outside convenience store as seen on Thaiger News.

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[Ramanathan.P]

In Phuket and Pattya including Khao San Road, one can see tourists and locals with cans of beer in their hands drinking and walking. What about that? Isn't that a public place? Sometimes these interpretations looks very subjective.....

[PhuketBloke]

What about beaches, bars with seats and tables on the pavement, the list goes on. 

[BigHewer]

I reviewed the Alcohol Beverage Control Act for a compliance assessment some years ago. A few observations:

1. More than half of the document explains who can monitor, enforce and interpret the act, how they are selected and replaced and who they report to. It's a three-ring circus.

2. As with many Thai laws, there are very, very specific provisions and then (typically at the end of a list), a very convenient "other" category.

In regards to the man's online query, he is questioning which of the specific provisions he has violated. In a nutshell the seven places listed are temples, hospitals, schools, government offices, public parks, gas stations and "other", i.e. "other places notified by the Minister with advice of the committee". 

I'd say our friend the 7-11 boozer has violated Section 31, Sub-section 7, which is nice and muddy. Mind you, this law doesn't seem to apply to people getting plastered in front of the 7-11 on Sukhukvit soi 16. Nice and consistent then.

 

 

[ibgort]

The law should state "prohibited drinking alcohol while in a motor vehicle for which is under your control either moving or parked."

[Leeshard]

The main problem is the general laxity of the police in enforcing the drinking in public places law which they hardly ever do. Even so, 1,000 baht seems steep. Maybe he could have challenged it. Even if found guilty in a court I doubt they would have fined him more than 500 baht. 

[BJoe]

The hypocrisy in Thailand continues to bloom. But this was a Thai national. That in itself is rare. Things like this usually happen to foreigners , which of course contributes to the slimy image of Thailand.

[Mamachigawa]

You cannot drink a beer outside a convenience store?