I can say,that, as a tourist and visitor and now expat (for 5-6 months per year), the 2-5pm sales ban on alcohol in Thailand has had no bearing whatsoever over the years. I agree that the ban is ridiculous, but going to Pattaya or Phuket, or any other tourist area, they always serve all day. OK, it is a pain if I go to Big C or Villa Market in the afternoon for food and I cannot pickup a beer or wine to enjoy with dinner. I now either go to 7-11 after 5pm or use a mom and pop shop in my local soi if earlier. It really is no issue for a "tourist" but I do agree that the rules are outdated and should be scrapped. I remember, in the UK, that pubs were only allowed to serve from 11am to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm on Monday to Saturday and 12-2pm and 7-10pm on Sundays right up until the mid 1980's.