OrBorTor elections force alcohol ban

PHUKET: Starting tomorrow at 6 pm, sale of alcohol will be banned in all eight tambons holding elections on Sunday for tambon administration organization (OrBorTor) representatives.

The ban will last until midnight on Sunday.

The eight affected tambons are Chalong, Koh Kaew, Cherng Talay, Mai Khao, Srisoonthorn, Thepkrasattri, Sakoo and Kamala.

A representative at the Phuket Election Commission (PEC) confirmed to the Gazette that anyone caught selling alcohol during prohibited hours will be subject to up to six months in jail or a 10,000-baht fine.

Phuket’s 62,227 registered voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 am until 3 pm on Sunday to elect new OrBorTor presidents and councilors.

All other areas, including Phuket City, Patong and Kata-Karon, are not affected by the ban, said the PEC representative.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Decha Budnampeth told the Gazette, “We will be keeping an eye out for anybody selling alcohol in these eight tambons. We will be following election law and charge anybody who breaks it.”