Chonburi provincial police warn against drinking alcohol at restaurants in Mueang Chonburi, Bangsaen, and rural Chonburi

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Provincial Police has warned of strict enforcement as alcohol is still not allowed to be drunk at restaurants in the Chonburi area even though an overnight curfew had expired earlier this week.

Pattaya, as a “BLUE” tourist area (Business, Leisure, Ultimate Experience) and high vaccination rates have got a lot of attention, according to Chonburi Police, in the media but they wanted to remind the public that the ban on alcohol at restaurants and closure of nightlife and bars applied to the entire province. Chonburi police held a meeting in Pattaya earlier today which we covered here to specifically address concerns of Pattaya business owners around the ban, which has thousands of restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues.

A second meeting had previously been held at the Mueang Chonburi Police Station. Joining in the meeting were police and local restaurant and hotel operators.

The Mueang Chonburi Police Chief Colonel Nitat Weanpradap said at the meeting, “We want to make sure that even though curfew has ended in Chonburi that it is crystal clear that alcohol is still not allowed to be drunk in restaurants anywhere in the province. If we find anyone breaking the law we will take legal action, this includes customers who should be aware of the law after many warnings. The Chonburi governor can also order the shutdown of the restaurant for up to five years.”

“We want to make sure restaurant operators understand the rule. In Mueang Chonburi, they are not in the zone of ‘open cities’, and vaccination rates are not as high as in other areas. Pattaya is a “BLUE” zone but even they are not allowed to sell alcohol at restaurants or open their nightlife sector for tourists yet. Our main concern in the rest of Chonburi, however, is not tourist venues but places that primarily focus on Thai residents. They must still close at the mandated time by local disease committees as well (Mostly 11:00 P.M) and 24-hour restaurants are forbidden.” Colonel Nitat Weanpradap stated.

The Mueang Chonburi Administrative Chief Officer Mr. Praksit Sueksongkram added, “We are also strictly patrolling in the Sane Suk and Bangsaen area as many people are drinking alcohol inside restaurants. This area also has multiple bars and entertainment venues attempting to open for domestic tourists, we are focusing on shutting these down and warning customers that they will not be given a pass and released like before Covid-19, they will also be arrested for breaking the law.”

Entertainment venues, bars, and similar places have been shuttered in Chonburi for seven months roughly as have legal alcohol sales at restaurants. The ban comes from the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, in Bangkok who claims the rules help stop the spread of Covid-19 by limiting social gatherings.

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Goongnang Suksawat
Goong Nang is a News Translator who has worked professionally for multiple news organizations in Thailand for many years and has worked with The Pattaya News for more than four years. Specializes primarily in local news for Phuket, Pattaya, and also some national news, with emphasis on translation between Thai to English and working as an intermediary between reporters and English-speaking writers. Originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat, but lives in Phuket and Krabi except when commuting between the three.