Cigarette Etiquette

[surfside66]

Could you fellows kindly inform me on the current laws and etiquette for cigarette smoking in BKK and Pattaya? On my last trip in 2001, it was a free-for-all, but times have changed and I don't want to annoy anyone or break any laws. Where do polite people smoke whilst drinking? Is it verboten in the bars? How about on patios in front of the bars?
Thanks,
Surf

[windwalker]

Technically against the laws in air conditioned places. Some go-go bars in Pattaya - Boyztown and Sunee Plaza stick to the law and forbid smoking while others seem to allow it if someone lights up. Known as ashtray bars.
Smoking allowed in outdoor venues.
As for etiquette, most non-smokers would not want to sit with a smoker while he smokes. In which case the smoker should just step aside somewhere for a smoke break.

[Up2u]

"Smoking allowed in outdoor venues.".... a friend (smoker) told me he couldn't smoke at the outside bars on Soi 4 and was asked to move to the middle of the soi. True?

[Gaybutton]

Where do polite people smoke whilst drinking?

If you truly are a polite smoker, I suggest doing what I always did - step outside, whether the bar permits smoking or not. While a bar might permit it, you're guaranteed to be a problem for the non-smokers if you light up inside the bar.

On patios outside the bar or open-air bars, as a smoker I always considered outdoor smoking fair game.

[surfside66]

I like to think I'm both polite and a gentleman (at least "most" of my friends seem to regard me as such), so I'll stick to bar patios.

I ask for guidance on this subject, as I've had differing experiences i.e. Japan. On my frequent visits to Japan, some bars have no problem with smoking (an ashtray at every bar stool) while it's forbidden at other establishments. I suppose it has to do with whether or not the bar or restaurant is in an "entertainment zone".

I'm one of those oddball smokers...I only smoke when I have a cocktail. So weeks can go by, and I'm smoke-free. But get me on vacation, out for an evening jag of bar hopping...and I can easily go through a pack or more.
Thanks,
Surf

[Gaybutton]

I suppose it has to do with whether or not the bar or restaurant is in an "entertainment zone".

I have no idea how things work in Japan, but in my opinion it is not a question of whether smoking is permitted. It's a question of consideration for others.

I get the feeling that surfside66 is the type of person who is considerate of others. If someone is blowing smoke in your face at the bars, I don't think the culprit will be surfside66.