Smoking Ban May Begin on February 11, Not February 17

[Gaybutton]

This may be a misprint. I don't know. Until today all the publicity I've seen states that the ban will begin on February 17, however the following article in today's PATTAYA CITY NEWS states that the ban will begin on Monday, February 11:

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Smoking Ban in Bars and Other Entertainment Venues from 11th February

 

On Thursday Morning at Pattaya City Hall, Khun Niran, the Mayor of Pattaya along with his Senior Adviser, Khun Itipon chaired a meeting of Entertainment Venue Managers and Owners from around Pattaya to discuss new legislation which is about to come into force and previous legislation which City Hall must enforce.

 

The main issue discussed in the meeting was a new law which is coming into force on 11th February. From this day Smoking is not permitted in public venues including bars, offices and markets. The maximum fine which can be imposed on individuals who are caught breaking this law is 2,000 Baht.

 

The bar owners were told about this new law and how they must ensure it is enforced in their venues. The owners and managers were also reminded that regulations regarding music levels and industrial waste control are still applicable and checks will be made over the coming months to ensure that venues are adhering to these existing regulations.

 

[Guest wowpow]

I Googled Thailand smoking ban 2008 and all links say it's the 11th February, except Yahoo News which says 17th.

 

Maybe that's why they have fading profits and Microsoft have just offered to buy Yahoo for US$43.6 billion which many say is overgenerous.

 

I think that the 11th is a good idea. It's sort of Valentines Day present to Thailand. I am waiting to see the number of a hotline to report establishments breaking the law> I hope I will not be too busy. I think I'll buy a load of 'no smoking stickers' and put them on bar entrance doors to help the management and stick them to the tables of anyone breaking the law. In the past I found that wearing a face-mask, two battery fans pointed at air polluters and having a racking cough, had no effect on them puffing smoke away from their companions. However I did have requests to retain the face mask.

[Guest wowpow]

"Police ready to arrest breakers of smoking ban - The Nation

Responding to the Public Health Ministry's regulation to ban smoking in air-conditioned pubs, discos and clubs from February 11, Metropolitan Police Friday had all of Bangkok's 88 police stations ready to arrest and fine any rule breakers.

 

 

City deputy police commissioner MajGeneral Suporn Phanseua said all officers were ready to reinforce the new rule by fining smokers Bt2,000 and venue operators Bt20,000.

 

Police will act upon public complaints or the Public Health Ministry's request for inspection of entertainment establishments, rather than pressuring the establishments themselves, he said, adding that he believed all venues would give full cooperation.

 

Smoking is already prohibited in airconditioned restaurants but the ministry's regulation to include airconditioned pubs, discos, bars and parts of outdoor public venues such as Chatuchak Weekend Market will take effect as of February 17.

 

However, those frequenting pubs, clubs and discos have objected to the ban, claiming they pay money to go out so they should be able to do as they please - including smoking cigarettes.

 

One 20-year-old man said he disagreed with the new rule because it limited people's rights to entertain themselves when they actually pay money to be at a club or a bar. He said most people who drank also smoked, and pubs and clubs kept their business because of them.

 

"If you don't want to get exposed to smoke, stay home or go somewhere else that is smokefree. Leave us partygoers to smoke as we please," he said.

 

A 30-year-old office worker who frequents night venues said he did not smoke, and felt irritated by the cigarette smoke and that his clothes reeked after visiting pubs.

 

Some places do not have good ventilation systems and are so filled with smoke that he sometimes feels dizzy in them, he said.

 

Some partygoers, especially nonsmoking women, also spend money to go out but have to put their health at risk when visiting such venues, he said, adding that he welcomed the new rule".

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/08...al_30064850.php

 

So it seems the new rules come in two tranches

[Gaybutton]

Why not get confused early and avoid the Christmas rush? According to the February 8 edition of the PATTAYA MAIL, enforcement of the regulation begins in Pattaya on February 11 (see http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd14 ).

 

As far as I can tell, the ban begins in Pattaya on February 11. Everywhere else in Thailand, it begins on February 17.

 

For some reason, Pattaya often does things on dates different from other areas of Thailand. Songkran comes to mind.

 

Apparently, tonight and tomorrow night are the last nights smokers can smoke in Pattaya's bars. It will be interesting to see if "No Smoking" signs are posted in the bars beginning Monday.

[PattayaMale]

I think Wowpow has it right.

Feb. 11 is for bars, pubs, discos, i.e. entertainment places.

 

Feb. 17 is the date for outdoor markets and restraunts.

 

???????

[Gaybutton]

This evening I visited two bars in Pattaya. There were no "farang" smoking (including me), but several of the boys were smoking. I mentioned it to a couple of the bar staff. They, of course, acted surprised and as if they knew nothing about a smoking ban. The letters BS come to mind.

 

Ashtrays were still all over the place and I didn't see any bars sporting a "No Smoking" sign, at least not outside. I also saw absolutely no police presence whatsoever in an attempt to start enforcing the regulation immediately.

 

In other words, while I only visited two bars, so far I've seen no evidence that the ban exists anywhere but on a piece of paper. Well, it's only the first day. We'll see what happens.

[PattayaMale]

What area were you in?

I saw a no smoking sign on the bar that use to be the ladyboy bar when I was leaving Sunee last night

 

[Gaybutton]

What area were you in?

I saw a no smoking sign on the bar that use to be the ladyboy bar when I was leaving Sunee last night

 

I was also in Sunee, but I didn't notice any signs. I think I know which bar you are referring to, but I didn't pass that one. Good. That means at least some of the bars are complying and are aware of the new rules. Maybe the rest will quickly follow suit. We'll see what happens.

 

Did anyone else visit bars last night? I only went to two. I'd like to know what was going on and how many bars were in compliance.

 

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Was in GUY Bar next to Day-Night last night. No ash trays and large "No Smoking" signs on the pillars.