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.. 

[webfact]

Thailand Considers Lifting Alcohol Sales Ban, Eyeing Economic Boost

 

Photo courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Thailand is mulling over the possibility of lifting the longstanding ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm, as well as during religious holidays. This move, championed by the former chairperson of the Alcohol Beverage Business Association, aligns with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s directives aimed at boosting the economy by revisiting regulations seen as impediments.

 

Thanakorn Kuptajit, the former association chairperson, has argued for a reassessment of these restrictions, which also include stringent zoning laws and limited sales times. Allowing electronic sales channels is another progressive step under consideration. Such changes, according to Thanakorn, could spur immediate economic growth, with projections indicating an influx of over 50 billion baht through enhanced tourist and local spending.

 

The potential ripple effects of these reforms are substantial, promising benefits for ancillary industries like hotels, entertainment venues, and dining establishments. Additionally, the proposed changes could generate new job opportunities in roles such as drivers, waitstaff, and musicians, creating more income avenues.

 

 

Stakeholders, including members from the Nightlife Entrepreneurs Association, are optimistic and are planning to convene next Monday, 17th February. The meeting aims to unify industry views and present a coherent case to the government for amending what many consider outdated alcohol sales laws.

 

This sentiment reflects a growing call from hotels and alcohol-related businesses to modernise regulations in line with current economic and social landscapes. Whether the government will act swiftly remains to be seen, but the potential economic rewards present a compelling case for reform, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-13

 

 

[bluemoon58]

Completely ridiculous policy, both the daily sales ban and also the Budha Day sales ban! Achieves absolutely nothing whatsoever! Not that I give an actual rat's ass but can someone explain to me what it actually achieves?

[ThailandGuy]

We will just read more here about misbehaving drunk Farangs and how Thailand hates that. It is a neverending circle.

[pacman32]

If people can't go without alcohol for a couple of hours during the afternoon I feel really sorry for them.... They have a problem 🤔

[still kicking]

7 hours ago, dallen52 said:

Just what we need.

More drunken drivers...

Absolute nonsense 

[hotandsticky]

21 minutes ago, pacman32 said:

If people can't go without alcohol for a couple of hours during the afternoon I feel really sorry for them.... They have a problem 🤔

 

No,

 

YOU have the problem for believing that it is 'right' to prevent the sale of alcohol during a 3 hour afternoon window. An ill thought out and absolutely pointless law.

 

It is not about drinking, it is about having the right to buy something without prohibition.

[delboy]

I ordered s beer at a popular restaurant in Chiang Mai recently outside permitted hours  I was told "Sorry Sir, no alcohol sales at this time, but we have wine"

[hotandsticky]

Just now, delboy said:

I ordered s beer at a popular restaurant in Chiang Mai recently outside permitted hours  I was told "Sorry Sir, no alcohol sales at this time, but we have wine"

 

 

I love it! 😀........now THAT is Thai culture. 

[DD86]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

to curb officials drinking during work hours

 

7 hours ago, Bert got kinky said:

 

Thailand doesn't need these kind of tourists.

 

It's about freedom of choice, maybe not known to you.

[DD86]

5 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Brilliant!!!

 

What about fixing the air pollution problem first?

That is not from 1972, has to get in queue.

 

[DD86]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

to curb officials drinking during work hours

They don't drink in the morning?

But ok, those officials can't be controlled but then 60 million (1972?) had this restriction law on them?

[DD86]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

to curb officials drinking during work hours

They don't drink in the morning?

But ok, those officials can't be controlled but then 60 million (1972?) had this restriction law on them?

Double post due to forum rule??

[Lion21]

What a foolish way of thinking. There is absolutely no shortage of alcohol. Remove the air pollution and the tourists will come. Who the hell travels to a country that gives you lung cancer?

[RT555]

Used to see the motorcycle taxi drivers load up on booze just before 2pm and be $hit faced by 6pm...long overdue to stop this nonsense.