Holy spirits: Pattaya toasts to temple tipple alcohol tweak
Pattaya officials and business moguls are toasting the National Alcohol Policy Committee’s bold decision to uncork alcohol sales at select venues on major religious holidays, a move set to pour life into the city’s tourism juggernaut.
The clinking of glasses will be heard in hotels, entertainment hotspots, and international airports, while other public areas remain dry. Optimists predict the change will be implemented before Visakha Bucha Day on May 11.
Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampichet couldn’t hide his grin as he backed the new policy.
“In the past, entertainment venues stayed open during major religious holidays but stopped alcohol sales from midnight before the holiday until midnight on the holiday itself.”
The Pattaya mayor pledged allegiance to the scheme, allowing booze in licensed zones like those in Pattaya, but acknowledged the need for more chatter about sales outside these domains.
Meanwhile, a potential hitch was pointed out: Jomtien, Naklua, and the Dark Side aren’t officially entertainment zones yet, putting them in a bit of a muddle regarding holiday alcohol sales.
The mayor, however, was adamant about businesses abiding by the law, especially by keeping drinks out of under 18s’ hands. He firmly believed that pouring pints on these five religious holidays would be just the tonic for Pattaya’s tourism trade.
Amphorn Kaewsaeng of The Stones House jumped on the bandwagon, hailing the news as a triumph for entertainment operators who have long yearned for this change.
She praised the government for seeing sense and promised that business operators stand ready to toast the occasion by complying with every jot and tittle of the law.
Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong chaired the high-stakes meeting of the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee at Government House on March 4 to push the new legislation through.
Prasert confirmed that alcohol sales will still be allowed in select locations but the nationwide booze ban stays in place.
Travellers can raise a glass in international airport terminals, while hotels, approved entertainment venues, and sites hosting major national or international events will also get the green light to serve up drinks.
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