Thailand Enforces New Alcohol Serving Rules

So if you throw up over the bar and order another drink that will be OK ....🤮

"The Disease Control Department's director, Monthian Kanasawat, highlighted that vendors should watch for signs like impaired balance, motor control issues, and behaviors that may threaten public safety."

Can you imagine a scenario in a Thai nightclub where a Thai man who thinks he's a VIP is asked to stand on one leg and touch his nose in front of his friends and then told he can't have any more alcohol?

I can't think of anything more likely to "threaten public safety".

Wifey insists that I must pass these tests prior to having "fun".

Consequently I know a lot of bar girls......🙃🙃

25 minutes ago, Humpy said:

So if you throw up over the bar and order another drink that will be OK ....🤮

Sounds fair to me.

Maybe have to ring the bell though.🙃🙃

On 3/30/2026 at 6:59 PM, snoop1130 said:

Thailand has introduced specific guidelines for alcohol vendors to assess customer intoxication before serving more drinks. This follows a regulation that prohibits the sale of alcohol to already intoxicated customers, as per Section 29 of the Alcohol Control Act. The guidelines published in the Royal Gazette aim to help vendors make informed decisions and avoid legal repercussions.

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The regulation was announced last December but lacked clarity on how vendors should evaluate intoxication. On March 30, the Royal Gazette detailed methods for assessing a customer's level of drunkenness, describing physical, verbal, and behavioral indicators of intoxication. The Disease Control Department's director, Monthian Kanasawat, highlighted that vendors should watch for signs like impaired balance, motor control issues, and behaviors that may threaten public safety.

Key methods outlined include three sobriety tests: a self nose-touching test, a foot-to-foot alternating test, and a single-leg counting test. Each method assesses coordination and balance, with specific criteria to determine intoxication. For instance, the nose-touching test involves closing the eyes and touching the nose, with signs of intoxication including noticeable hand tremors.

These guidelines are part of efforts to ensure public safety and prevent alcohol-related harm. Sellers may face legal consequences if they serve alcohol to intoxicated customers who then cause damage or injury. Authorities urge drinkers to self-assess their sobriety and stop consuming alcohol if signs of intoxication appear.

Looking forward, vendors and patrons are expected to adapt to these guidelines, which took effect on March 28. Effective implementation could lead to a decrease in alcohol-related incidents, promoting safer drinking environments. Authorities may monitor compliance and adjust measures as necessary.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 30 Mar 2026

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The test is, if you are still upright, you are able to ask for a beer, have the money for a beer then you will past this test 100% of time.

it is a bit like telling a fisherman to put the fish he has already caught back into the sea. 😀

32 minutes ago, nahkit said:

"The Disease Control Department's director, Monthian Kanasawat, highlighted that vendors should watch for signs like impaired balance, motor control issues, and behaviors that may threaten public safety."

Can you imagine a scenario in a Thai nightclub where a Thai man who thinks he's a VIP is asked to stand on one leg and touch his nose in front of his friends and then told he can't have any more alcohol?

I can't think of anything more likely to "threaten public safety".

Most of the Thai vendors will have to go on a course first to understand what the words ".....impaired balance, motor control issues, and behaviours that may threaten public safety..."

"Authorities urge drinkers to self-assess their sobriety and stop consuming alcohol if signs of intoxication appear"

Half the drinkers I know drink to get "merry"!

However, in line with the post, in the UK the landlord of a pub has the right to refuse to serve ANY person if he doesn't want to - no reason needed!

We all now that this will never be implemented. Same as the helmet thing for Thais. It is exactly as Ikke 1959 wrote: It seems that "they think Ok there is law, we are finished now"

21 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

No.. you misunderstand me.... It should be the responsible of the bar owner. He/she should not serve someone who is drunk already. But there is no responsibility in Thailand so a law must do the job, but who is going to enforce that??? policemen at every bar to check??? No law needed for common sense. With this law the bar owner can be fined, which is correct but who will know if he served the drunk or not.

I am sober but I can give a drink when you are drunk.. Who is than responsible?

imortant parts of the equation missing .. owner/server to customer

" up to you" and my name is "Chuck"

On 3/31/2026 at 7:35 AM, Jim Waldron said:

Can you just picture the tiny 7-11 cashier barely out of high school, asking some sunburned retiree who’s already had a few, to stand on one leg, touch his nose, and count backwards from 20 before she'll hand over his six‑pack.

Should make for some entertaining videos.

23 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

But you forget that Canada, the Us and Europe have a working police force. Here in Thailand they don't enforce any law...It seems that they think Ok there is law, we are finished now

More like you can pay if you want to carry on breaking the law.

On 3/31/2026 at 6:24 AM, KhunBENQ said:

Nose test, balancing

That will add to the fun in Pattaya 🤣🤣

I suggest flamingo test (standing on one leg.) with closed eyes.

Try it 😁

I could have done that once, but now due to an operation some years ago my balance is not that good. Even without alcohol I'd probably have trouble

15 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Wifey insists that I must pass these tests prior to having "fun".

Consequently I know a lot of bar girls......🙃🙃

Ahhhh...the regular downvoter.

He prefers Boystown where he can conduct his own tests.🙃🙃

20 hours ago, Caldera said:

So when I'm intoxicated, I simply send someone who's (relatively 555) sober to buy me more alcohol, is that right!? 🤣

Years ago the Rotary club did an exercise in my local pub in Mt Isa AU. They picked 5 volunteers and had policeman wih a breahaliser machine to conduct the test After 2 schooners 2 of them were over the limit ...after 4 drinks 2 were over the limit and after 6 drinks i was just under.So how can you work out who is intoxicated and who is not ?? who is the arbitrator ?? Every body reacts differently and it depends on such things as food eaten or medication taken beforehand.. So this law is rediculous and no bar owner is going to boot out a good paying regular who might be drunk until he causes problems with other patrons because he doesn't want to lose him as a customer.

On 3/31/2026 at 7:35 AM, Jim Waldron said:

Can you just picture the tiny 7-11 cashier barely out of high school, asking some sunburned retiree who’s already had a few, to stand on one leg, touch his nose, and count backwards from 20 before she'll hand over his six‑pack.

It will definitely add to the entertainment value of a trip to 7-11; although it may make for a long line.

On the surface of it, this law makes sense..some of the onus of selling this product should rightly fall on those who economically gain from its sale..but .. a few thoughts..

One - like many things here, laws, without consistent, fair and strict enforcement are really “suggestions” and not law..

Two - as noted earlier, I would have concerns that those who sell alcohol, those are now potentially liable for it’s sale, should be properly trained in the law and what they will be held to, therefore training would be an important element.

Only in Thailand!!

2 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

Only in Thailand!!

Can you believe that someone got paid to construct this law and another to write this dribble!