Thailand Introduces New Alcohol Rules Nationwide

The "On Roads" restriction is most likely intended to address the nuisance party vans that appear in some tourist areas. These are the converted vehicles with the pop up sides that are rolling bars. I recall that when I was living in a high rise serviced apartment off of Sukhumvit, our soi was plagued by a converted VW van that would show up at night and park at the end of the street, blaring loud music and selling alcohol to the farangs who stayed at the budget hotels nearby. It was a constant nuisance. Aside from loud noise until 2 AM, it was a major source of obnoxious drunkards who would vomit and urinate nearby. The new law will allow the removal of such vehicles from the roads.

4 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Until the government spells out the penalties are police meant to warn, fine, confiscate, or ignore?

Bribe and/or extort.

16 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

No open containers allowed in a car?

When I lived in TX (1990?) it was OK. I think no more though.

So silly.
If they are so obsessed about the demons of alcohol, why don't they just ban alcohol totally. Close all the bars and entertainment areas.
Then there would be no confusion over what the rules are, perhaps thai road safety would improve and less of the drunken incidents and thai shootings.
Tourists who want to go on holiday, relax and have a few drinks can go somewhere else instead of risking fines, incarceration or expulsion.
They want the tourism, but do these people have any common sense?

Everyone needs to take a chill pill, all farts especially brain farts go away quickly. So all will be forgotten in a few weeks.

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Fine is already established for sales and consumption at restricted areas. They are simply adding more restricted areas.

Do idiots really have to be reminded.

Is your Ai snippet accurate ?

No issue buying booze between 2pm and 5pm, everywhere is selling!

"Authorities have also focused on drink-driving enforcement...."

Does that mean you have to immediately drink the alcohol prescribed to you at police checkpoints under threat of violence?

8 minutes ago, BerndD said:

"Authorities have also focused on drink-driving enforcement...."

Does that mean you have to immediately drink the alcohol prescribed to you at police checkpoints under threat of violence?

I read somewhere few months back that new laws had been introduced here.....that if caught drink driving 3 times, you would then loose your licence, but after 3 months you could get it back ...or something along those lines....I guess it's an improvement...!

Aside from loud noise until 2 AM, it was a major source of obnoxious drunkards who would vomit and urinate nearby. The new law will allow the removal of such vehicles from the roads.

I used to walk past one at Asoke on my way to work at 5:00 AM. It was still open. Still serving. Usually had at least one drunk falang either passed out or being propped up by a "lady" on each arm.

13 minutes ago, BerndD said:

"Authorities have also focused on drink-driving enforcement...."

Does that mean you have to immediately drink the alcohol prescribed to you at police checkpoints under threat of violence?

Yeah, they will be held at gun point forced to consume.

6 minutes ago, impulse said:

I used to walk past one at Asoke on my way to work at 5:00 AM. It was still open. Still serving. Usually had at least one drunk falang either passed out or being propped up by a "lady" on each arm.

I've been sat at a Tin Table in that general vicinity and one of my companions asked what the funny noise was. When another guy said the BTS the first guy said "<deleted> that means it is 6am; I have to work today."

Never ending list of stupid laws. Wtf is wrong with buying a beer in a roadside 7/11. They already banned alcohol on highway gas stations. Why can’t a passenger buy a beer? Whatever.

4 hours ago, giants49 said:

You mean you can't drink while you drive? Brilliant!

One might be a passenger… also on trains and buses, I don’t see the majority driving it. 🤪

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Fine is already established for sales and consumption at restricted areas. They are simply adding more restricted areas.

Do idiots really have to be reminded.

Naewna reported that officials have not yet announced further enforcement measures or penalties related to the new regulations!

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

One proposal under consideration would allow 24-hour alcohol sales in designated areas within the Eastern Economic Corridor, aimed at boosting tourism revenue and investment.

Well I mean that's perfectly understandable, It will go a long way to attracting the "quality" tourists they are seeking and will of course reinforce Thailand's self perceived reputation as "the" international business hub of south east asia

43 minutes ago, diveasia666 said:

One might be a passenger… also on trains and buses, I don’t see the majority driving it. 🤪

its been illegal to drink on buses for years and on trans too and that includes the drivers

Just remember that the Thai alcohol laws are not in any way specifically aimed at foreigners tourists and expats that find themselves affected are collateral damage

2 hours ago, Packer said:

Bribe and/or extort.

don't knock it , for that option to work it has to be cheaper than the "going to court option" there are many potential benefits to settling up the matter "in cash"

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

Is your Ai snippet accurate ?

No issue buying booze between 2pm and 5pm, everywhere is selling!

Top part is from 'Nation' news, bottom is suspect, from FB

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

The "On Roads" restriction is most likely intended to address the nuisance party vans that appear in some tourist areas. These are the converted vehicles with the pop up sides that are rolling bars. I recall that when I was living in a high rise serviced apartment off of Sukhumvit, our soi was plagued by a converted VW van that would show up at night and park at the end of the street, blaring loud music and selling alcohol to the farangs who stayed at the budget hotels nearby. It was a constant nuisance. Aside from loud noise until 2 AM, it was a major source of obnoxious drunkards who would vomit and urinate nearby. The new law will allow the removal of such vehicles from the roads.

but will it allow the removal of such vehicles from private land adjacent to the road ? They will always find a way around it

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

Does it make a difference? Can car passengers drink and not the driver? Texas used to allow that but I think they changed it.

Yeah, think so. Most places I've been in the world it has not been against the law for a passenger to have an open alcoholic drink in the vehicle - USA is the exception. Aircraft, plenty of countries still serve alcohol so it still is okay drink while flying in their airspace: middle eastern countries and where some carriers have stopped to save a few pennies are the exceptions - and of course flight or cabin crew must not, which was the gist of the original quip.

As an aside, you mentioned Texas - I've been to 43 of the US States for various reasons, and Texas isn't one of them! Will remember that law when I go!

6 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

SO many laws, rules and regulations in LOS that are never enforced. Here are a few more now. To quote Marcus Tullius Cicero, "The more laws, the less justice."

Oh let me add to your comment which is "The more laws, the less justice". The addition is, "unless the RTP and Marine coral rangers spot a tourist where they can fine that person big time and thus gets a big bribe request. Example, picking up dead coral on the beach in a marine ocean area where possible jail term and a thousands of Bah fine. Go figure.

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

Does it make a difference? Can car passengers drink and not the driver? Texas used to allow that but I think they changed it.

its illegal for car passengers to drink here

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

The "On Roads" restriction is most likely intended to address the nuisance party vans that appear in some tourist areas. These are the converted vehicles with the pop up sides that are rolling bars. I recall that when I was living in a high rise serviced apartment off of Sukhumvit, our soi was plagued by a converted VW van that would show up at night and park at the end of the street, blaring loud music and selling alcohol to the farangs who stayed at the budget hotels nearby. It was a constant nuisance. Aside from loud noise until 2 AM, it was a major source of obnoxious drunkards who would vomit and urinate nearby. The new law will allow the removal of such vehicles from the roads.

The private party vans ya can rent to go from swampy to patts with a few girlies and booze free flowing are great fun and an awesome introduction to Thailand !

42 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

Yeah, think so. Most places I've been in the world it has not been against the law for a passenger to have an open alcoholic drink in the vehicle - USA is the exception. Aircraft, plenty of countries still serve alcohol so it still is okay drink while flying in their airspace: middle eastern countries and where some carriers have stopped to save a few pennies are the exceptions - and of course flight or cabin crew must not, which was the gist of the original quip.

As an aside, you mentioned Texas - I've been to 43 of the US States for various reasons, and Texas isn't one of them! Will remember that law when I go!

Most idiotic drinking law I saw was in NC. When daylight savings time kicked in the bars would stay open an extra hour. We called it daylight drinking time.

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Is your Ai snippet accurate ?

No issue buying booze between 2pm and 5pm, everywhere is selling!

As part of a six-month pilot project, running until the end of May 2026, alcohol may be sold between 2 pm and 5 pm. We'll see whether this is maintained or reversed.

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

Does it make a difference? Can car passengers drink and not the driver? Texas used to allow that but I think they changed it.

Yeah, think so. Most places I've been in the world it has not been against the law for a passenger to have an open alcoholic drink in the vehicle - USA is the exception. Aircraft, plenty of countries still serve alcohol so it still is okay drink while flying in their airspace: middle eastern countries and where some carriers have stopped to save a few pennies are the exceptions - and of course flight or cabin crew must not, which was the gist of the original quip.

As an aside, you mentioned Texas - I've been to 43 of the US States for various reasons, and Texas isn't one of them! Will remember that law when I go!

54 minutes ago, 10000Baht said:

As part of a six-month pilot project, running until the end of May 2026, alcohol may be sold between 2 pm and 5 pm. We'll see whether this is maintained or reversed.

Yeah, ya dont say.

I was pointing out to the person that posted it that the ai snippet was not accurate.

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

I was pointing out to the person that posted it that the ai snippet was not accurate.

Yes, I know 😜

It will be effective as this was https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/transpo/2017/04/05/starting-now-cant-ride-back-truck-say-police/