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What are the regulations regarding alcohol sales near temples in Thailand?

Alcohol Sales RegulationsThai LawDistance RestrictionsTemplesChristian ChurchesExclusion ZonesExpats in ThailandLocal LawsEnforcement Issues
Nov 10, 2023
a year ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am loosely understanding there is a law that alcohol sales must be more than 500 meters from a temple or place of worship. Does this include every shrine and Indy church or does the place need to have some credential to it? Anyone know how that works?

Edit: shop is for the lady there is a Christian church on a nearby street.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the legal regulations related to selling alcohol near temples in Thailand. Participants note that there are restrictions, typically requiring shops to be more than 500 meters away from temples, but clarify that this law may not equally apply to Christian churches. Comments highlight variations in enforcement across different locations, with some users reporting that local establishments do sell near temples without issues. The conversation also touches on the general perception of law enforcement and potential local corruption.
Kool *******
Why chance it. Find a different location. If complaints are filed with the police, whether it is technically legal won't matter.
a year ago
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John *********
In Chiang Kham myself for 6 years. I speak well enough to get about and like you only deal with local people. Lots are extended family. Small enough town but big enough. Everyone seems content with how the system works. I'm happy being the daft Farang who gets on with everyone nearly all the time. Long may it continue. Good luck with the move.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 back at ya
a year ago
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Jack ****************
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John *********
@Kool ******
 That makes no sense at all. There are many small shops and also 7's selling beer quite close to temples where I live.
a year ago
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Kool *******
@John ********
 sorry, to put it easier to understand, if no complaints are ever filed you won't have any problems.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 Maybe. But it appears in this city that they troll for businesses that are doing well and then look for excuses to harass. But it's hard to know what's going on under the hood. An official complaint leading to officers putting cash in their pockets isn't a very good look.
a year ago
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John *********
@Jack ***************
 Seems like people get very different impressions of Thailand depending where they live. I'm in semi-rural Northern province and couldn't imagine a more chilled out place to live. Where are you if you don't mind me asking?
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 Chiang Rai. Lived in Chiang Khong last year. Generally I am super happy with how stuff works here. If I didn't have some insight into this problem through locals (I'm pretty integrated - I don't know any farang and spend all my time with Thai people) I wouldn't even be aware. We will be moving to Phitsanouk soon and I am terribly afraid it will be similar to the south where it's a part of everyday life.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
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David ********
If that's a law then it's not enforced very well. My local temple (Hang Dong, Chiang Mai) is about 20 meters away from a store that sells alcohol. And if that were actually the case then Old City Chiang Mai would not be allowed to sell alcohol anywhere from Doi Suthep to the Ping River.

No smoking or Alcohol withing the temple grounds, but I have never seen anything about a 500 meter restriction.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *******
 well everything is subject to the realities of corruption and incompetence...
a year ago
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John *********
@Jack ***************
 And Western countries aren't "subject to the realities of corruption and incompetence" eh. FFS man get real.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 of course they are, what are you freaking out about? Maybe have "act like an aggressive dick" be 3rd or 4th gear instead of 1st.
a year ago
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John *********
@Jack ***************
 Well then your comment is really quite a good example of a non sequitur isn't it Jack. Do you feel the need for people to agree?
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 I don't think it's a non sequitur. The topic at that point is the delta between what the law is and how it is enforced. Which HERE is often a case of incompetence and/or corruption. Typically in the west the enforcement is fairly uniform, but the laws themselves stem from corruption. Both places have both problems, just different relative levels.of each.
a year ago
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John *********
@Jack ***************
 That's a good answer.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ********
 Its a thing I think about way too much. I accidentally saw how the sausage was made and can't go back....
a year ago
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John *********
@Jack ***************
 :-)
a year ago
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John *********
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Nongnuch ********
I only know the law that alcohol sales must keep a certain distance from schools. I haven't yet heard that this also applies for temples
a year ago
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Jo **********
around Temples you are not allowed to sell alcohol. You can drink alcohol nearby a Temple. To my understanding this applies only to Temples not Christian churches
a year ago
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Will ************
There’s an exclusion zone around schools
a year ago
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Graham *******
If you are a Farang, you less standing before the law. good luck! If the head monk don't like you, your finished.
a year ago
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Graham *******
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