Indeed, it was for real.
For the first time, the authorities imposed a ban on alcohol for advance voting, from friday end of afternoon to sunday night. Many shops and public venues were informed… just an hour before the start of the ban friday. Like always… it was not sure. Until it started. 
To summarize this very efficient policy :
-the ban affected high profiles (AKA visible) places : Bangkok, Pattaya etc.
-absolutly not where vote buyings were likely (up country)
-mainly tourist places (bars, hotels, restaurants, large shops), not small thai shops, where it was still possible to bypass the regulation if you were thai.
As for myself, I came back to Bangkok in the evening, after a long and painfull trip… I just wanted a nice meal and a drink… I tried my regular small thai restaurant in Ari area…Then Villa market supermarket… Then I went to the Sofitel Plazza, at Central Lad Prao. Big hotel… I was sure to get my drink in their bar. Wrong.
I had to wait saturday, when a thai friend went to a small thai shop in a very thai soi… to buy a very thai amount of beer and other various liquors. Despite the ban.
Again it summarizes everything : this insane and childish policy has affected mainly… tourists who do not vote and businesses owners (foreigners and thais).
I would add : and surely, it will bring even more votes to the… PPP.
Anyway : you are warned… the ban will start again this saturday end of afternoon to sunday night (for the main voting operations).
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