Pattaya prepares to be smoke free from Feb 11th

"Pubs and bars go smoke-free from Feb 11
Pattaya Mail
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk

PattayaтАЩs pubs, bars and other retail outlets are preparing to implement the Ministry of Public HealthтАЩs adjustment to the laws on smoking, and ban all smoking on their premises from February 11.

Mrs Wannaporn Chamjamrat, director of the Pattaya Public Health and Environment Department announces the enforcement of the non-smoking law. The new move follows the MinistryтАЩs announcement in the government gazette on December 28, amending the Non-smokersтАЩ Health Protection Act of 1992. Pubs, bars, and all type of markets, i.e., for fresh food, clothing and general goods, and with or without air conditioning would become non-smoking environments on February 11.

Any operator failing to comply with this announcement is subject to a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, and any person who smokes in a non-smoking area will be subject to a fine not exceeding 2,000 baht.
Mrs Wannaporn Chamjamrat, director of the Pattaya Public Health and Environment Department said that all relevant outlets are being notified of the new law and that a promotional campaign is being organized for visitors and the general public.
The primary step for the Public Health Office was an educational session for PattayaтАЩs business community on January 31 at the Public Health Center on Soi Buakao.
In the event of a business outlet not implementing the new ruling, city hall will issue a warning and the outlet would then have until May 31 to comply. Any violations after this date would result in legal action.

Wannaporn said that air conditioned pubs, bars and restaurants must be 100 percent non-smoking areas, but an outside area for smokers is permitted if there is a free flow of air. Fresh markets and non air-conditioned restaurants can provide a smoking corner if it is separate from other diners and does not allow smoke into the main area." Pattaya Mail

I am rather confused by the reference to non-air-conditioned restaurants being permitted smoking areas. I had not realized that they were affected by the ban?

[Geezer]

"In the event of a business outlet not implementing the new ruling, city hall will issue a warning and the outlet would then have until May 31 to comply."

Pubs, bars, and all type of markets, i.e., for fresh food, clothing and general goods, and with or without air conditioning would become non-smoking environments on February 11.
A friend who owns bars in Pattaya and Bangkok tells me that it is only Pattaya that is implementing this law on 11 February.
Bangkok is sticking to the word of the law and bringing it in on 17 February.
I know where I'll be spending my money :thumbleft:

"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 (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/08/national/national_30064850.php)

So it seems the new rules come in two tranches

A friend who owns bars in Pattaya and Bangkok tells me that it is only Pattaya that is implementing this law on 11 February. Bangkok is sticking to the word of the law and bringing it in on 17 February.Pattaya always has been a law unto itself (usually enforced by the local Mafia, who run the place. I wonder how much George is paying in tea money to the local constabulary (ie. branch of the Mafia) to keep his little bar ticking over)

A friend who owns bars in Pattaya and Bangkok tells me that it is only Pattaya that is implementing this law on 11 February. Bangkok is sticking to the word of the law and bringing it in on 17 February.Pattaya always has been a law unto itself (usually enforced by the local Mafia, who run the place. I wonder how much George is paying in tea money to the local constabulary (ie. branch of the Mafia) to keep his little bar ticking over)

And of course Homi, you silly arse, the mafia don't run Bangkok???