This time itтАЩs not elections, itтАЩs for Buddha Days.
Asalha Puja (known as Asanha Puja or Asarnha Bucha, Thai: р╕нр╕▓р╕кр╕▓р╕мр╕лр╕ р╕╣р╕Кр╕▓ ) is a Theravada Buddhist festival which typically takes place in July, on the full moon of the eighth lunar month, although this year, unusually it's August.
It commemorates the BuddhaтАЩs first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist sangha. In Thailand, Asalha Puja is a government holiday. The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons. It will be on 2nd August 2012.
The following day 3rd August is known in Thailand as Wan Kao Pansa; it is the first day of Thai vassa, the Theravada rains retreat or Buddhist Lent. This is also a dry day.
So there you have it. Respect for the culture (not to mention possible notices from the police) require bars not to serve alcohol on August 2nd and 3rd. Our past experience is that many bars will close altogether. However, as always, closures/non-alcohol will be on a bar by bar basis and we can not predict exactly who will close or what will happen.
But if youтАЩre worried about the frequency of closures lately (especially in Pattaya), the good news is this SHOULD be the last one until December 5th.
