Gaybutton Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ 2 Day Bar Closure This Weekend Due to Senate Elections and Religious Holiday On Tuesday Morning at Pattaya City Hall a seminar for election workers took place in preparation for the first two days of voting for the Senate or Upper House Elections. On 23rd of this month those who reside in Pattaya but are registered in another province will be able to vote in this first phase of voting. Unfortunately, this will mean that bars and other late night entertainment venues will have to close from 6pm on 22nd until Midnight on 23rd. This election also coincides with Maka Bouscha Day on 21st February when bars are expected to close in observance of this religious holiday. The seminar explained to the election workers their individual jobs and how the election day will be organized to ensure they are working in accordance with regulations set by the Election Commission. Quote
Guest JoeM Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Clearly a weekend to plan ahead and stock up on goodies ...maybe a little in-house or in-room party. Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 20, 2008 Author Posted February 20, 2008 Personally, I can understand why a religious holiday would cause the bars to be closed, but I have yet to understand why an election would close the bars and the other entertainment venues. The last time I checked, voting takes place during daytime hours. What does that have to do with nighttime venues? Also, since bar employees old enough to vote can do so right here in Pattaya, then what's the point of closing the bars? If the idea is to keep people from getting so drunk that they can't vote, then I can see ordering the bars not to serve alcohol, but at least giving them the option of remaining open and serving soft drinks if they so choose. It's one more item on my ever-growing "I Don't Get It" list. Quote
Guest buckeroo2 Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I always heard that the ban on alcohol sales during election period was to prevent elected officilas from bribing voters with pay-off of drinks during that day or that night after polls close. Of course, you could always bribe them the day before or after the elections but it seems election day itself is the day they want to prevent this from happening. - big parties for backers, etc Personally, I can understand why a religious holiday would cause the bars to be closed, but I have yet to understand why an election would close the bars and the other entertainment venues. The last time I checked, voting takes place during daytime hours. What does that have to do with nighttime venues? Also, since bar employees old enough to vote can do so right here in Pattaya, then what's the point of closing the bars? If the idea is to keep people from getting so drunk that they can't vote, then I can see ordering the bars not to serve alcohol, but at least giving them the option of remaining open and serving soft drinks if they so choose. It's one more item on my ever-growing "I Don't Get It" list. Quote
