Thailand Eases Alcohol Sale Rules at Major Airports

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport. File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

In a notable shift aimed at fostering tourism and economic growth, Thailand has relaxed its restrictions on alcohol sales within major international airports. This strategic move was officially sanctioned when the Prime Minister's Office issued a regulation extension published in the Royal Gazette on Christmas Day, with immediate effect from Thursday.

 

This change follows a recommendation from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee that was embraced by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Initially, the sale of alcoholic drinks was curtailed on the five major Buddhist holy days: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, and the start and end of Buddhist Lent.

 

This measure has now been lifted within pivotal transport hubs under the auspices of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), namely Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai airports.

 

The intent behind this regulatory adjustment is clear: to enhance travellers' spending capabilities while invigorating Thailand's robust tourism sector. This approach not only caters to the convenience of international travellers seeking refreshments but also positions Thailand as an accommodating destination in the competitive travel industry landscape.

 

While airports embrace this newfound flexibility, broader reforms are being ushered in on the domestic front. The Department of Excise is championing a drive to ease the production of community liquor, which is anticipated to bolster local economies.

According to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, this initiative will make it less cumbersome to secure licences for crafting local alcoholic beverages.

 

By leveraging domestic materials and cultivating community brewing, the government sees an opportunity to elevate both income levels and the quality of local products.

 

One key element of these regulatory revisions is facilitating brewpubs and craft beer breweries to distribute keg beer beyond their premises, provided the containers hold a minimum of 20 litres.

 

Additionally, small-scale beer factories will be afforded a seamless upgrade pathway to medium-sized operations, sidestepping the bureaucratic hassle of licence renewal.

 

These regulations are slated for implementation in February, underscoring Thailand's commitment to streamline industry operations domestically while presenting a refreshed, accommodating face to the world at its gateway airports.

 

This dual approach aims to drive economic vitality, from the bustling international terminals to the heart of local communities, where traditional practices meet modern-day opportunities, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2024-12-27

 

 

[bokningar]

So the big news is that they won't hide alcohol behind a curtain 5 day a year. Wow 

 

[redwood1]

I told you guys the afternoon alcohol sales ban would stay........Hey I am not much of a drinker but its VERY VERY VERY VERY inconvenient when your shopping in the afternoon and you are not able to buy wine because of this STUPID STUPID rule....

[Enzian]

Were the Duty Free shops at Swampy Arrivals (when you land in the country and leave the airport) ever removed as was proposed earlier this year? I like good Scotch and fly often enough that half my collection has come from Duty Free here and elsewhere. But when I last arrived and walked out on 11/25 I didn't see any shops, but I may have missed something. (And I already had my limit in my bag from my point of departure, so it was not important that day.) Anyone know?

[tjintx]

Geez, I gotta go all the way out to Swampy on five days every year?

[Felton Jarvis]

The next step needs to be 24-hour alcohol sales, no restrictions.

[Tropicalevo]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

According to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul, this initiative will make it less cumbersome to secure licences for crafting local alcoholic beverages.

 

This move would be a significant change.

More tasty, craft beers please. 

[Foxx]

Was it really the case that King Power stopped selling alcohol on these days? And did the various lounges stop providing alcohol to business and first class passengers?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The intent behind this regulatory adjustment is clear: to enhance travellers' spending capabilities while invigorating Thailand's robust tourism sector.

5 days of the year?

[jcmj]

Well the visitors will be pissed when they leave the airport and go out later for a drink. Sure we know you can get it, but many foreigners don’t and only see the signs. Why plan a holiday here when you can’t even buy a bottle of wine or alcohol at the store to enjoy yourself. Thailand needs to wake up and get with the time. 

[khunjeff]

7 hours ago, Enzian said:

Were the Duty Free shops at Swampy Arrivals (when you land in the country and leave the airport) ever removed as was proposed earlier this year?

 

Yes, they're gone - a really poorly thought-out idea that will accomplish pretty much nothing. 

 

5 hours ago, Foxx said:

Was it really the case that King Power stopped selling alcohol on these days? And did the various lounges stop providing alcohol to business and first class passengers?

 

No and no.

 

I've never been clear on what exactly this measure was meant to address, since even convenience stores at international airports were already exempt from the alcohol sales hours restrictions. Did the 7-11s have to halt sales on that small number of religious days? Maybe, but getting rid of that wouldn't seem to merit this grand announcement.

[khunjeff]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

One key element of these regulatory revisions is facilitating brewpubs and craft beer breweries to distribute keg beer beyond their premises, provided the containers hold a minimum of 20 litres.

 

This is actually far more interesting than the part about airports. There are already a number of small brew pubs illegally selling draft beer from small producers and home brewers, some of which is of very high quality. Legalizing this will hopefully lead to more production and more venues selling these artisanal brews.

[snowgard]

10 hours ago, redwood1 said:

I told you guys the afternoon alcohol sales ban would stay........Hey I am not much of a drinker but its VERY VERY VERY VERY inconvenient when your shopping in the afternoon and you are not able to buy wine because of this STUPID STUPID rule....

100% right!!! Specialy because Thailand has a law which forbid selling alcohol to persons under 21 years.

[proton]

1 hour ago, snowgard said:

100% right!!! Specialy because Thailand has a law which forbid selling alcohol to persons under 21 years.

 

It's 20 not 21, which makes the law some mini marts adhere to that they cannot sell booze within 300 meters of a school rather irrelevant 

[RichardColeman]

Two things.

 

1. If you are daft enough to buy alcohol at an airport when you can get it free on the plane , you are a bit of a fool.

2. If you are daft enough to buy alcohol at an airport on arrival rather than a 7/11 on the way to your location you are a fool 

[bkk6060]

I am sure it is big money, but all over the world there is a big increase of arguments and violence by passengers on planes.  How many of these are alcohol related?  I am not against people drinking, but I think an airport is a very poor choice to open up more drinking let alone having alcohol available at all.

[MPXX]

gf in Pattaya always knew where to purchase alcohol 24/7 - 365. Used to bring it in black plastic bags

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

If you are daft enough to buy alcohol at an airport when you can get it free on the plane , you are a bit of a fool.

Not if you are stuck in the airport with a long stopover and can't leave the airport!

[Felton Jarvis]

On 12/27/2024 at 1:51 PM, jcmj said:

Well the visitors will be pissed when they leave the airport and go out later for a drink. Sure we know you can get it, but many foreigners don’t and only see the signs. Why plan a holiday here when you can’t even buy a bottle of wine or alcohol at the store to enjoy yourself. Thailand needs to wake up and get with the time. 

I stayed in Bangkok with my girlfriend during one holiday period and she cheerfully told me how to buy beer at a nearby " closed " market. I was instructed to knock on the door and the owner would open and sell me as much beer as I wanted. Thai people seem to have a very loose or contemptuous view of the law.  🙂