Alcohol Sales Ban To Be Lifted at Thai Airports on Key Buddhist Holidays

[webfact]

 

Thailand’s National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee has decided to lift the ban on alcohol sales on five significant Buddhist holidays at key airports to boost tourism. The airports include Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok, and those in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai.

 

The holidays affected are Visakha Bucha, Makha Bucha, Asahna Bucha, Buddhist Lent, and the end of Buddhist Lent. This decision was reached by the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee, chaired by Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit during a meeting held yesterday.

 

Transport Minister Juangroongruangkit stated that the relaxation of the ban aims to stimulate the tourism economy. However, the exact date for when this change will take effect has not been specified.

 

The committee is also considering whether to lift the ban on alcohol sales on these Buddhist holidays in trains and at railway stations. For this, they plan to consult with the State Railways of Thailand to weigh the economic benefits against potential health impacts.

 

In addition to these changes, the government is reviewing a long-standing nationwide ban on the sale of alcohol between 2 pm and 5 pm, which has been in place for 52 years. This part of the legislation is under scrutiny as the country seeks to modernise its regulations in response to evolving tourism and economic landscapes.

 

This move is part of a broader approach to balance Thailand's cultural values with the economic benefits derived from its vibrant tourism sector. As Thailand welcomes millions of international visitors annually, easing restrictions such as these aims to make the travel experience more convenient while ensuring the nation’s values and health considerations are respected.

 

The announcement has been met with mixed reactions, but the government remains focused on finding an equilibrium that supports both tourism and public health.

 

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

-- 2024-07-05

 

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[Tropicalevo]

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

considering whether to lift the ban on alcohol sales on these Buddhist holidays in trains and at railway stations

I thought that alcohol sales were banned on trains and ferries some years ago?

It was after some poor lass was raped on a train. Nothing to do with Buddhist holidays.

Does that mean that we can buy alcohol on trains on the Buddha days but not any other time? 

Edited July 5 by Tropicalevo

[sungod]

3 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

I thought that alcohol sales were banned on trains and ferries some years ago?

It was after some poor lass was raped on a train. Nothing to do with Buddhist holidays

 

I believe you are correct.

[Bangkok Barry]

18 minutes ago, sungod said:

22 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

I thought that alcohol sales were banned on trains and ferries some years ago?

It was after some poor lass was raped on a train. Nothing to do with Buddhist holidays

 

I believe you are correct.

 

I agree. Perhaps someone who uses long distance trains can advise?

[TheFishman1]

Well, I guess the owners of these big companies know how to grease the wheels TIT

[Neeranam]

I remember when all petrol stations sold alcohol, and many drug stores. 

[khunjeff]

I thought that international airports had been exempt from alcohol sales regulations for many years - they certainly don't have to follow the restrictions on selling hours.

[Frankie baby]

Honestly, if it wasn't for the women spearheading the economy & just about everything else, you'd think were still stuck in the Stoneage.  

[Chassa]

22 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I remember when all petrol stations sold alcohol, and many drug stores. 

Tobacco and Cigarettes too!

[TheAppletons]

Top 1,000 reasons tourists travel to Thailand (ranked):

 

1.  Weather

2.  Beaches

3.  Relatively inexpensive

4.  Women

___________

 

965. Can drink in the airport on Buddhist holidays

966. Dengue fever

967.  Soi dogs

[hotchilli]

Softly softly.... 

[richard_smith237]

That'll keep some happy....

 

... Does Utapao have a bar ??...      

[thecyclist]

52 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

I thought that international airports had been exempt from alcohol sales regulations for many years - they certainly don't have to follow the restrictions on selling hours.

Certainly the duty free stores can sell.

[thaimacky]

I'm still waiting for the announced reduction of the wine import tax to boost the tourism and hospitality sector.

[Peterphuket]

7 minutes ago, thaimacky said:

I'm still waiting for the announced reduction of the wine import tax to boost the tourism and hospitality sector.

They have a temporary amnesia regarding that.

 

Perhaps the temporal will be replaced by the eternal, it is also possible, TIT.

[Mannekenpis]

The ban should be lifted overall,not just at airports. Individuals should be responsible for respecting their religion, not forced to it

[ikke1959]

I am not sure, but I thought that by outbound flight you always could buy alcohol.....Inbound I have no clue. but with a very old law they have to make it free every day all day ... and maybe ask for identification if a minor wants to buy...

[shackleton]

The ban on alcohol should be lifted all over the Country not only for  tourists 

But everyone else of drinking age 

Welcome to the 21st Century 

[dinsdale]

Doing this to increase tourism? Thing is as soon as you get out of the airport which is what basically everyone does on arrival you will not be able to buy alcohol on Buddhist holidays. How can anyone think this will boost tourism? More emptyheaded idiots at work. 

[sambum]

I can foresee quite a few "passengers" going to the airport in order to get a couple of drinks on "Buddha Days"!

 

But maybe not at the prices they charge!!!

[sambum]

2 hours ago, thaimacky said:

I'm still waiting for the announced reduction of the wine import tax to boost the tourism and hospitality sector.

 

Correct! "Waiting for Godot"?*

 

* Waiting for Godot (/ˈɡɒdoʊ/ ⓘ GOD-oh[1]) is a play by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett in which two characters, Vladimir (Didi) and Estragon (Gogo), engage in a variety of discussions and encounters while awaiting the titular Godot, who never arrives.

[connda]

So the airport monopolies get the nod from their connected friends in government.  How about the rest of the bars and restaurants in Thailand.  Oh!  Silly me.  They don't have the proper connections! 

[sambum]

4 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I thought that alcohol sales were banned on trains and ferries some years ago?

It was after some poor lass was raped on a train. Nothing to do with Buddhist holidays.

Does that mean that we can buy alcohol on trains on the Buddha days but not any other time? 

Yes, some poor girl was raped and killed by a rail employee who had a history of drug and alcohol problems (He raped her then threw her off the train)

 

So what did the Rail Company do? Ban drink sales on all trains thereby punishing the passengers! Yes indeed - TIT! 

[Lopburikid]

3 hours ago, thecyclist said:

Certainly the duty free stores can sell.

But they are closing all the duty-free shops at airports to engorge in bound passengers to buy locally.  

[nakhonandy]

I fail to see how sales at the airport will boost tourism, it's just their standard statement when they want to pass a law.

The scrapping of the afternoon 2-5 ban is an excellent idea.

[brianthainess]

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

I agree. Perhaps someone who uses long distance trains can advise?

Certainly not allowed on Koh Chang Ferries, or to consume it at anytime. Just goes to show the Govt has no Idea about naff all.

A quick google search tells me Alcohol was banned on Trains in July 2014. But hey lets all have a committee meeting at 10k each.

Edited July 5 by brianthainess

[brianthainess]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

This decision was reached by the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee, chaired by Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit during a meeting held yesterday.

Sack them all waste of space and money. 

[Bangkok Barry]

15 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Certainly not allowed on Koh Chang Ferries, or to consume it at anytime. Just goes to show the Govt has no Idea about naff all.

A quick google search tells me Alcohol was banned on Trains in July 2014. But hey lets all have a committee meeting at 10k each.

 

And no doubt they'll serve alcohol at the meeting 😆

[Thumbs]

How will this increase tourism? If anything it will annoy tourists even more, can get a drink at the airport but then everywhere is closed when you hit the streets, and the only place you can have a drink after a long flight happens to charge 3-4 times more for the same bottle at a regular shop

[0ffshore360]

There has to be  some ironic form of illogic in this. Was there not the suggestion to close Duty Free shopping for arrivals in Thailand? So where is the expectation that lifting alcohol restrictions in airports is  somehow a bonus ?

Do travel weary people desire alcohol ?

 

Or have I missed something?