Alcohol: Thailand's Favorite Boogeyman [S5.E37]

In a very topical show Greg and Ed discuss the role that
alcohol plays in Thai culture. For a country that seems to love
restricting alcohol consumption, be it for religious holidays or
even election days, Thails love to drink (the most in SEA,
actually). But there's a rather huge gulf between the way Thai
people actually behave and the image that the Thai government
would like to project to the world, which is of a 'conservative
Buddhist country.'


This leads to a discussion of the partial re-opening.
Tourists are allowed in with some restrictions, alcohol can be
sold in restaurants until 9 pm, but all purely entertainment
venues are shuttered, supposedly until January 15th at least.
Greg plays devil's advocate (or in this case, angel's advocate)
and points out that in early stages of the pandemic, some major
outbreaks occurred in nightclubs. It's common sense that people
are less careful when intoxicated, so what's wrong with closing
bars and entertainment venues? 


Ed does his best to counter with bulletproof logic,
pointing out the flaws: why can restaurants serve booze, but not
bars? What magic happens at 9 pm, when alcohol stops being
served, that causes COVID to suddenly be transmitted where it
wasn't before? And wouldn't rules about ventilation and the
density of customers be a more scientific strategy? 


This leads to Ed's main argument that the government has
stopped making policy based on science and is instead merely
acting as a 'conservative Buddhist' teacher of morals and proper
behavior, much to the disadvantage of Thai bar owners and
entertainment workers. 


Don't forget to read the excellent article on
Thai Enquirer that discusses the same issues - and
definitely check out the classic commercial Greg and Ed
discussed. JHON! KRIED! KIN LAO!


Yes, folks, Thailand is in the midst of a SOCIAL ORDER
CRACKDOWN! So journey here only if you are one of the sizable
number of travellers that doesn't really care about partying
after 9 pm. :)


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