Thailand statement of the week: Alcohol sales ban of 3 hours for supermarkets is ridiculous and outdated!
In Thailand, tourists and expats are often surprised by a remarkable rule: the sale of alcohol in supermarkets is prohibited between 14:00 PM and 17:00 PM. This rule, which has been in place since the period of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is part of a strategy to combat alcoholism. As Thailand tries to attract more tourists and extend the closing hours of the hospitality industry, the ban on alcohol sales during midday hours raises questions about its effectiveness and relevance. Respond to the statement!
Pieter, a 43-year-old businessman, leaves his predictable life in Groningen for an adventure with 25-year-old Noi in Pattaya. He leaves his wife and children, but the dream quickly turns into a nightmare. Plagued by regret, alcoholism and abandonment by Noi, he ends up in a downward spiral of loneliness and isolation.
Discover Thailand (19): the traffic
Traffic in Thailand is chaotic, especially in the larger cities such as Bangkok. Many roads are congested and the driving behavior of some motorists and motorcyclists can be unpredictable. Moreover, traffic rules are not always properly observed. An average of 53 people die in traffic every day. So far this year, 21 foreigners have died on the roads.
'Pajom, the lonely woman' a short story by Rong Wongsawan
Young widow, alcohol, a new job as a whore; her six-year-old son has nothing to eat and starts stealing. Two lives become a mess.
I have been in a relationship with my dear girlfriend for 10 years. That runs smoothly, but there is 1 thing. She drinks too much. I taught her to drink wine and I now deeply regret it. She never drank a lot of alcohol because she doesn't like beer and liquor at all.
Reader question: Are there public campaigns in Thailand to point out the dangers of alcohol in traffic?
What I wonder are there not commercials on Thai TV that point out the danger of alcohol in traffic? In the Netherlands, years of campaigns on TV and radio have made the public aware of the dangers. Does that happen in Thailand? I have no idea because I live in the Netherlands and cannot receive Thai TV.
Wealthy Thai businessman Somchai Verojpipat who crashed his Mercedes head-on into a car in April, killing a senior police officer and his wife and seriously injuring their daughter, has been sentenced to three years in prison and a 100.000 baht fine. However, the prison sentence was imposed conditionally.
Because of the suspicion of gout in my big toe, the hospital had a blood test done and a too high uric acid value was found and also an too high ALT or ALT value (I don't remember the number of the latter). After taking Allopurinol 2 mg and Colchicine 300 mg once daily for 0,6 months, the uric acid value is well within the norms again, but the ALT value is 80 while it should be below 50. Both the doctor and I know that the cause is very likely to be sought in alcohol consumption.
British largest drunk barges in the world
Some prejudices seem to be quite correct. British drinkers, for example, are three times more drunk per year than any other nationality. British people report that they are drunk on average 51,1 times a year, almost once a week. British expats also like a sip in Thailand, in my experience.
In 2018, 22,4 percent of adults indicated that they sometimes smoke. According to their self-reported alcohol consumption, 8,2 percent were excessive drinkers. In addition, 50,2 percent were overweight. The percentage of people who are overweight has not changed compared to 2014, the proportion of smokers and excessive drinkers has decreased.
An Isan village life
The Inquisitor can say that he is well integrated in this Isan village in the middle of the Udon Thani/Sakon Nakhon/Nongkai triangle. Everyone knows him by name, they greet him spontaneously, like to have a chat, although it takes longer than usual because of the language barrier, which is mainly The Inquisitor's fault.
The balance can be made after the Seven Dangerous Days during the New Year holidays in Thailand. This shows that 40 percent of all road deaths. The good news is that the number of accidents involving alcohol has fallen by 23 percent.
A prospect in the event of too much alcohol on the road
Recently I was arrested for having a little too much booze. It often happens to me that I have knocked back a few drinks too many, but with an alcohol check I usually save myself with extra money.
How do I discuss my Thai girlfriend's drinking?
My girlfriend drinks more alcohol than is good for her. She comes from a bar background and there it was normal to be drunk regularly. Now that she is with me she never drinks during the day but when we go out in Pattaya she drinks too much, once home she vomits.
My first Isan death ritual
Klaas attends the funeral of a family member in a village in the Isaan. There is gambling, tweeting, facebooking, drinking, eating, gossiping, praying and monks reciting. Klaas wonders: What do I, as a farang, think of that now?
The Thai authorities warn drivers that their insurance will not pay if they drive under the influence.
Campaign to steer Songkran in the right direction
Although Songkran should be a party, there is a dark side of alcohol abuse, road deaths and sexual harassment. The Royal Thai Police, Thai Health Promotion Foundation and the Network for Improving Quality of Life have therefore launched a campaign to warn the revelers.