BRITS in the normally raucous party-hotpsot of Bangkok are facing a quiet night in as the country undergoes a strict 24-hour booze ban ahead of this weekend's elections.

Thailand's red light districts, including the city's gogo bars and clubs, looked like ghost towns as a result of the ban.

The country is holding its first elections in almost a decade on Sunday and the military rulers banned all sales of alcohol from 6pm on March 23 until 6pm on March 24. after polls close.

'Ladyboy' strip clubs and lap dancing bars in the Soi Cowboy strip were deserted on Saturday night while bars in the neighbouring Patpong district also did not open for the evening.

In the Soi 4 'Nana' area, some bars stayed open with signs outside warning tourists that alcohol was unavailable.

Brits said the ban had ruined their weekends, with many spending the night in front of the TV instead of bar-hopping.

GHOST TOWN

Police patrolled the streets making sure that no holidaymakers were drinking and that supermarkets had stopped selling booze until the elections conclude tomorrow evening at 6pm.

Anyone caught breaking the law can face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 baht (£238).

David Maguire, 77, from Nottingham, said: ''I'm on a cruise and we're only staying in Bangkok for one night. But now there's nothing to do in the evening. I can't even buy a beer to take back to the hotel. So it looks like we'll be drinking water and watching the telly.''

Chris Tenreiro, from Leytonstone, east London, said: ''I was expecting everything to be buzzing on a Saturday night but it's like a ghost town. Hopefully it'll get back to normal tomorrow and there won't be any problems.''

It looks like we'll be drinking water and watching the telly

The elections – widely regarded by critics as being rigged by the military – are the first time the country has gone to the polls in since the army seized power in 2011 instilling General Prayut Chan-o-cha as leader.

The ban that takes place around election times was introduced in September 2018, revising the previous Election Act.

Authorities choose to ban alcohol to prevent voting manipulation and bribery, with canvassers previously throwing parties to attract votes at the last minute.

It is the first national election in Thailand since 2011, following the military coup in 2014.

24 HOUR BAN

Andrew MacGregor Marshal, a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University and author on Thai politics, said: ''The election will neither be free nor fair. Thai dictator Prayut Chan-ocha and his junta have shamelessly and systematically cheated throughout the election campaign.

''The Election Commission, which is entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of the polls and ensuring voting goes smoothly, has shown itself to be biased and incompetent.

''Pro-democracy parties have faced censure for the smallest alleged infractions, while the most blatant cheating by the junta has gone unpunished.

''For Thais who want true democracy, the situation seems hopeless. Many are questioning whether it is even worth voting.''

Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Sermpan Sirikong told The Phuket News: "The ban on the sale of alcohol is mandatory by law.

"Police will enforce it that same as we do for the five Buddhist religious days throughout the year.

"I believe that foreign tourists will understand that this is law must be followed. "

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