Thai PM Considers Easing Alcohol Sales Rules to Boost Tourism

[wensiensheng]

The rule is ridiculous because determined drinkers will be aware of it and circumvent by buying before the time starts, or by buying at a place that ignores the rule. Only occasional drinkers or people buying alcohol as part of a weekly shop, are caught out by it. So it should be scrapped as being not fit for purpose.

 

Equally ridiculous however is the theory that tourism levels are effected by it. Most tourists will be unaware of it before coming, some will take delight in participating in Thai culture by avoiding alcohol on religious days, some will be annoyed they can’t get a drink the instant they want one, but won’t care once they work out where they can get one.

[hellohello123]

These politicians have the attention span or indepth thinking of a chicken

 

Even a 5yr old could think of that and probably an 8yr old to understand that effects would be smaller or short term

[JimHuaHin]

Brilliant!!!

 

What about fixing the air pollution problem first?

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, JimHuaHin said:

Brilliant!!!

 

What about fixing the air pollution problem first?

 

 

 

No.

 

Antiquated prohibition laws FIRST..........................then tackle the pollution issue  -  properly.

[alien365]

2 hours ago, loong said:

 

It also seems that some Thais are unaware of the rules on religious days (not only the small shops).

Alcohol sales were banned from midnight Tuesday night until midnight on Wednesday. Thai bars in Khon Kaen were still blasting out music until 3AM Wednesday early hours. I somehow doubt that the customers had spent the last 3 hours listening to music with no alcohol. 7:30 AM on Wednesday I saw Thais sitting in the Thai bars, openly drinking alcohol. So, no enforcement from the police, or just money collection.

My understanding was that before midnight, the customers buy the alcohol that they want for the remaining few hours Technically they are not selling after 12 this way. Usually the promotions help with this when you buy 3 beers for 200 baht or something like that. 

[1happykamper]

2 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Is that the rule then? I have a retirement visa and live here 7 - 8 months, sometimes more sometimes less, have an apartment with a lease, go back to the US May - Sept, avoiding the rainy season and minding the house I still own, but I'm not an "expat"? So I take it you rewrote the entire Webster dictionary? Can I get a signed copy? You're silly. Nobody cares. I don't even use the word, nor does anyone I know. Even the "real" expats. 

You're absolute correct that I'm silly. Silly keeps me happy. 

 

However... I left England in 1973.. I became an expat by MOVING.. lock stock and barrel.. to Australia... Then on to USA.. etc... I left my home country decades ago. I'm an expat. 

 

You're not. It'll be OK. I can recommended a good ptsd therapist. 

 

Many here are true expats. We use that word as such to describe ourselves. Not snowbirds. Not seasonal vacationers etc etc. 

[Nickcage49]

If they really want to boost tourism they'll stop having dry holidays. It's ridiculous.

 

That turns tourists off more than not selling booze from 2-5.

[pacovl46]

Ooooh, Thailand allows afternoon booze sales. Let's jump on a plane and fly down there, has no one said EVER! 

[gravity101]

19 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

You're absolute correct that I'm silly. Silly keeps me happy. 

 

However... I left England in 1973.. I became an expat by MOVING.. lock stock and barrel.. to Australia... Then on to USA.. etc... I left my home country decades ago. I'm an expat. 

 

You're not. It'll be OK. I can recommended a good ptsd therapist. 

 

Many here are true expats. We use that word as such to describe ourselves. Not snowbirds. Not seasonal vacationers etc etc. 

I'm a migrant. You sound like an expat. He's a part-timer.

[Homburg]

Alcohol sales are banned on election days, so voters remain sober. We are living with the result of that approach. Perhaps it's time to repeal that law for the future elections? 

[TheFishman1]

And now for the real story so the father who is really running things has talked to all the big companies that are selling alcohol and they all agree to give him a big I mean a very big round envelope under the table to one of his offshore accounts so when they finalize that deal Then I think the band will be lifted TIT 

[Sigmund]

Totally absurd. Encouraging booze sale will only create more tensions, trouble and will make the quality tourists with money, go some place else. Nobody wants to have to deal with drunks all around when in a foreign country. The falangs who drink like camels are not those who spend the most. It's the house owners, condo owners who are the biggest spenders. Not the junkie tourists comming over to smoke pot and get drunk on cheap beer.

[Bruce Aussie]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Reference file photo courtesy: mamalovesphuket

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has initiated a review of Thailand’s longstanding afternoon alcohol sales ban, responding to business community calls for regulatory relaxation to enhance tourism.

 

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub confirmed this examination of the 53-year-old rule, originally introduced in 1972 under Thanom Kittikachorn’s coup regime to curb officials drinking during work hours. This outdated regulation is not part of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and has never been repealed.

 

Business groups have pressured for this ban’s removal, coinciding with planned amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. These amendments have passed a parliamentary committee and await further readings in the House of Representatives.

 

Following a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Paetongtarn acknowledged businesses’ concerns that alcohol sales restrictions hinder economic stimulation. She has tasked relevant agencies with reviewing the afternoon ban and the prohibition of alcohol sales on Buddhist holy days, as these impact tourism.

Additionally, alcohol sales are prohibited on election days, starting the evening before voting begins. Authorities are also reviewing bans on electronic alcohol sales, sales restrictions in zoned areas, certain Covid-19 era rules, and other regulations established since 1972.

 

Emphasising safety, Prime Minister Paetongtarn stressed preventing easy alcohol access for youths, highlighting the need for responsible sales control. While acknowledging adults’ maturity, she pointed out the necessity for stringent control over who can sell alcohol and in which locations, particularly focusing on youth access.

 

When asked about potentially allowing alcohol sales on Buddhist holy days, Paetongtarn indicated plans to consult a government panel. She noted foreigners’ general unawareness of Thai religious days and related alcohol bans, a factor influencing tourism negatively.

 

Reflecting on the government’s recent declaration of 2025 as the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year, she stated, "This year’s theme is the year of tourism. Therefore, this issue must be reconsidered," underlining tourism’s importance in forthcoming policy evaluations, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-13

 

 

Ridiculous ban. Set in place to stop officials drinking during working hours 

Better rule would be kick their backsides and fire them.

Amazing Thailand .

.

 

 

[connda]

Thai PM Considers Easing Alcohol Sales Rules to Boost Tourism

 

A day late and a satang short.  I seriously doubt it as the rules are about exercising control, keeping a foot and the neck of the commoners, and have nothing to do with "Saving The Children" or whatever other excuse is used by Thai elites.  But it's an own goal when it comes to tourism.  And anyway, that's what a 2pm to 5pm coffee cup at the bar is for as well as CCTV.

[AustinRacing]

So the ban was introduced to stop officials drinking alcohol during work hours? So they must now ban TikTok, Facebook etc. 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

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.

 

Most people have figured out a way around it..