Prayut bans street races, alcohol near schools
Businesses operators, parents, students, etc. are busy trying to figure out how Prime Minister Prayut's Section 44 order affects them. It bans alcohol sales near schools and universities, illegal nightspot operations and street racing.
Businesses operators, parents, students, etc. are busy trying to figure out how Prime Minister Prayut's Section 44 order affects them. It bans alcohol sales near schools and universities, illegal nightspot operations and street racing.
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A sign outside a 7-11 store near Rangsit University announces that alcoholic drinks will no longer be sold there. CHAIKRIT SAETAN
Prayut bans street races, alcohol near schools
Wassana Nanuam
Dumrongkiat Mala
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has invoked his special powers under Section 44 of the interim charter to tackle illegal street racing, alcohol sales near schools and universities, and illegal nightspot operations.
Bar and club operators slammed the harsh penalties imposed by the order, including a five-year ban on pubs allowing entry to people aged under 20, saying that tens of thousands of jobs could be lost.
The tough measures signed by Gen Prayut were published in the Royal Gazette Thursday, and were due to take immediate effect.
The move came after Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Koomchaya urged the premier last month to invoke his special powers to curb the problems.
Under the new restrictions, any pubs or nightclubs that allow entry to or sell alcohol to people aged under 20, or operate beyond the legal hours will have their licence revoked, or ordered shut for five years.
Bars, restaurants, and clubs also are banned from selling alcohol near schools, universities, and student accommodations.
If they breach the order they face being closed down and their alcohol sale licences permanently revoked.
The order did not specify what distance between the alcohol vendors and educational institutes was acceptable.
Last month the National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control approved a ban on alcohol sales within 300m of educational institutes, while Gen Paiboon said the distance should be extended to 500 metres.
You can be sure many business operators in areas like Siam Square are nervously awaiting to find out how the alcohol sales ban affects them. The difference between 100 meters, 300 meters and 500 meters must seem huge. Chulalongkorn University, incidentally, extends to Soi Chulalongkorn 64. / Google maps
According to those in the bar and restaurant business, the effect could be huge. Napatsarun Junyavijuck, proprietor of a liquor outlet near Rangsit University, said the prime minister's order will result in 35-40% of Bangkok being barred from selling alcohol.
Ms Napatsarun said key economic zones such as Siam Square near Chulalongkorn University, Asok area near Srinakharinwirot University, the Victory Monument, and tourist destinations in other provinces such as Nimmanhemin road in Chiang Mai, would be affected by the regulations.
Meanwhile, under the new measure, street racing could be a thing of the past.
Public gatherings with the intention of conducting street racing are prohibited.
Police and officials are authorised to temporarily confiscate cars or motorcycles suspected of being used in street races, and arrest suspects.
Dozens of illegally modified motorcycle exhaust pipes are stacked along with more than 300 motorbikes seized by Provincial Police Region 7 during its recent crackdowns on illegal street racing. PORNPROM SATRABHAYA
Officials can also arrest those watching illegal races. Previously, police could only arrest street racers after they had started races.
Parents of juvenile street racers were urged to comply with the Child Protection Act and restrain their children.
If they fail to stop their children from repeatedly taking part in street racing, parents will face a maximum of three months in prison and a fine of up to 30,000 baht — the same penalties imposed under the act.
The owners of shops which modify motorcycles which are involved in street racing will be regarded as assisting in illegal road activities and could face a maximum of six months in jail and a fine up to 20,000 baht.
The previous penalty was a three-month jail term and a fine of up to 10,000 baht.
You can read the full story here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/632928/prayut-extends-section-44-net
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