Patong's top cop told The Phuket News that he had just recieved the letter this evening (December 4) and understands that the letter was sent out to all police presincts on the island.
The request follows a statement from the Royal Thai Police yesterday stating that there would be no formal ban in the kingdom, and is also consistent with a statement from the island's top cop given earlier this week that we would need to wait closer to the holiday to confirm whether or not there would be a ban or request not to sale booze.
Mr Chiraphat explained that the request is not an official ban and though businesses who choose not to comply with the request would not be subject to criminal charges under Thai law, police "may visit the business to have a talk".
The request follows several businesses in Patong contacting The Phuket News and Live 89.5 earlier today to report that local police had been pressuring some bar owners on the famous party zone of Bangla Rd to close if not refrain from selling booze tomorrow.
The request affects all businesses – bars, restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores – and is effective for December 5 (12.01am tonight untill 11.59 tomorrow tonight).