At the time of writing (Asana Bucha Day), there really is “no alcohol in Pattaya” in the respect that there is a ban on the buying, selling, and consuming alcohol throughout Thailand. Don’t panic, though; Thailand alcohol bans are only implemented 5 days a year, except in the event of national and local government elections or other special circumstances.
That still leaves you 360 days a year and 361 days on a leap year to drink and party to your heart’s content.
How is the alcohol ban implemented in Pattaya?
On the days the sale and consumption of alcohol is banned in Thailand, you cannot “legally” buy alcohol anywhere, including convenience stores, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and hotels.
It’s only a ban on alcohol, so you may find some bars around Pattaya are open, selling soft drinks and food, but in reality, most won’t bother opening at all.
The ban on the sale of alcohol in Thailand is enforced the full 24 hours of the day, running from midnight to midnight.
On which days is there an alcohol ban in Pattaya
The alcohol bans are enforced on important Buddhist holidays (Buddha Days) in Thailand and are nationwide. See details below.
First off, just let me tell you that the dates of many events and holidays in Thailand are according to the Thai lunar calendar. To try and avoid confusion, keep in mind the first month of the Thai lunar calendar starts in late November or early December.
Makha Bucha Day: On the full moon day of the third lunar month, usually February or March
Visakha Bucha Day: On the full moon of the sixth lunar month, usually May.
Assana (Asalha) Bucha Day): On the full moon of the eighth lunar month, usually July.
Khao Phansa (start Buddhist lent): First day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month, usually July the day after Assana Bucha Day.
Awk Phansa (end Buddhist lent) : Usually October, after a duration of 3 lunar months.
What to do during alcohol-free days in Pattaya
These are important religious holidays in Thailand and are often celebrated with public ceremonies and parades, so keep your eye on the local press for dates of any events in Pattaya on those days.
You might consider yourself unlucky if you came to Pattaya to enjoy the nightlife and meet girls, but at the same time, you’re lucky there are so many other ways to enjoy a night or two in Pattaya without alcohol, and that it’s so easy to pick up girls in Pattaya online; it’s not the end of the world.
Unless you are a daytime drinker, you will only need to modify your night-time habits, and anyway, what you can do by night, you can do by day in Pattaya.
Here are a few suggested things to do in Pattaya when the sale and consumption of alcohol in Thailand is banned:
Go catch a movie at the cinema
Strike it lucky at a tenpin bowling alley.
Brush up on your 8 and 9 skills at an air-conditioned pool hall.
Treat someone special to a meal at beach restaurant.
Watch the lady-boy cabaret show at Tiffany’s.
Go watch a Muay Thai fight.
Come on, really. Being sober is not that bad. Under the right circumstances, it can even be fun. Everyone should try it, at least 5 days a year.