BANGKOK – As Thailand undergoes its usual routine of lunch followed by a coup, an unexpected development is taking place with the rise of a new faction who are calling for a permanent implementation of the nationwide 10pm to 5am curfew.
Calling themselves the “National Council for People Getting Too Old for This Sh*t”, these activists are in their late-20s to mid-30s and are best defined by their inability to party like they used to.
The National Council for People Getting Too Old for This Sh*t was started by a young couple who are dealing with the stresses of raising a newborn.
Preferring to remain anonymous so they don’t alienate all their friends, they say, “Our single buddies are always making plans to drink on weeknights. Are they crazy? Who can handle that anymore, plus a job and family? We could feel them starting to get annoyed that we never join them, so when the curfew was announced we saw the silver lining.”
Spreading the word through social media, playdates and to anyone on the street who looks fatigued, the National Council for People Getting Too Old for This Sh*t has gained a sizeable following of those who would “rather stay home and post pictures of their baby/dog/cat on Facebook.”
Self-proclaimed former reveler Benz Showoff, 34, says, “There was a time I could hit up three to four clubs in a night. Now, not only is the music too loud, but there’s nowhere to sit even. I decided to join this group to keep the curfew going forever so I can stay home and finally catch up on my shows.”
The curfew is one measure imposed by the army to help ease political turmoil when they seized power in a bloodless coup last Thursday (May 22). Although the country is divided on their support for the military takeover, some say the curfew could help solve some dire issues faced by Bangkokians.
“Do you know what ‘FOMO’ means?” asks Narak Hiso, 29, speaking from her daily hair appointment. “It means ‘fear of missing out’ and it’s something that we all experience because there’s always so many events going on in Bangkok.
“I spend at least four hours a day getting glammed up just so I can be seen in Thong Lor. It’s tiring and maybe this night-time restriction could mean I can stop wearing shoes that I can’t walk in.”
“Yeah,” eloquently echoes Narak’s friend from the next chair in the hair salon. “I get so many Facebook invites every day, and I can’t help but click ‘Join’ to all of them. Please god, I hope this curfew can help me.”
Some academics have also voiced their support for continuing to keep the curfew in place after the coup is over.
“Thais think there’s nothing else to do but drink and stay out late,” observes a leading anthropology professor. “They can learn to stay home sometimes, and, I don’t know, read a book or something. Who knows how productive Thai society could become if everyone had to be home by 10pm.”
Despite the attempts of the National Council for People Getting Too Old for This Sh*t, reports are already surfacing of an anti-curfew group, comprised of energetic 20-year-olds, who will mobilise at various entertainment hotspots at 11pm onwards to show their defiance to this control.
However no confrontation is expected as members of the National Council for People Getting Too Old for This Sh*t will most likely already be at home sleeping. G
In all seriousness, please note that all information regarding events mentioned within these pages is correct at the time of going to print, but is subject to change due to the curfew and overall political situation. Please check with all individual vendors for the most up-to-date details. Stay safe out there!