Pattaya Cheers Potential Easing of Alcohol Sales Restrictions

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

In a progressive step towards boosting tourism and business, the Thai government is considering easing alcohol sales restrictions in Pattaya, much to the delight of tourists and local nightlife businesses. This potential policy shift aligns with the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year” campaign, which aims to rejuvenate the tourism sector by year's end.

 

The current restrictions, which prohibit the sale of alcohol on Buddhist holidays and between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM, have been viewed as barriers to economic growth. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's review of these laws signals an intention to create a more tourist-friendly environment, crucial for locations like Pattaya, where entertainment is a major draw.

 

Lisa Hamilton, who leads the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, welcomed the government's move to review these regulations. As she notes, easing the alcohol sales restrictions could significantly impact tourism positively. Pattaya, renowned for its vibrant nightlife, relies heavily on a steady influx of tourists, many of whom seek to immerse themselves fully in the local culture and entertainment.

 

The existing sales bans have often resulted in uncertainty for nightlife operators and confusion for tourists. “Approaching Buddhist holidays, we constantly reminded each other about the alcohol ban. This step hindered our daily operations and cut into our potential earnings," Hamilton explained. "If these restrictions are relaxed, our business activities can flourish without unnecessary interruptions, enabling us to better serve our patrons."

Tourists echo this sentiment, frequently finding the current prohibitions perplexing and disruptive. The restrictions often bewilder international visitors, who are unfamiliar with local customs, questioning why such prohibitions are imposed.

 

There is optimism within the business community and among tourists that the revised regulations will be implemented promptly. By smoothing over these regulatory hiccups, Pattaya could enhance its appeal as a lively and inclusive tourist destination, fostering economic growth and local prosperity in a more sustainable and efficient manner.

 

For Pattaya, often seen as a barometer for Thailand's wider tourism health, such policy adaptations not only promise immediate economic benefits but also improve the visitor experience, further cementing its status as a must-visit location on the global tourist map. The community eagerly awaits the official adjustments, hopeful that this forward-thinking approach will revitalize both nightlife businesses and the broader tourism economy, reported Pattaya Mail.

 

-- 2025-02-14

 

 

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, webfact said:

“Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year” campaign,

So this campaign is to develop a culture of drinking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year? There are only about 3 dry religious holidays a year, and there doesn't seem to be a problem getting a drink between 2-5pm. Hasn't the 4am change yielded enough economic growth and prosperity....?

[hotsun]

12 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

So this campaign is to develop a culture of drinking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year? There are only about 3 dry religious holidays a year, and there doesn't seem to be a problem getting a drink between 2-5pm. Hasn't the 4am change yielded enough economic growth and prosperity....?

Its annoying i cant buy a beer at 7-11 in the afternoon. Let people buy what they want

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, hotsun said:

Its annoying i cant buy a beer at 7-11 in the afternoon. Let people buy what they want

Splurge out and pay 50 baht in a bar and see the delights not seen drinking in front of the 7-11!

😀

[Gsxrnz]

That file photo is at least 10 years old. 

[TedG]

3 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

That file photo is at least 10 years old. 

I miss the signs on the walking street.  

[wombat]

Every year with every event that stops bars selling booze this gets recycled and recycled and recycled....nothing changes just rearranges the tea cups.

[wensiensheng]

Cool, it’s so hard to buy a drink in Pattaya so this is obviously welcome.

 

” many of whom seek to immerse themselves fully in the local culture and entertainment.” By drinking alcohol 24/7/365?

[Frankie baby]

If your not a drinker, i.e.. the ladies reading this, just think what would happen if the same daytime restrictions were imposed on hair salons & fancy nail polish shops etc. We wouldn't half hear some whining. 

[hotandsticky]

Even whorehouses are open for business between 2 pm and 5 pm.................

 

(not that they exist in Thailand because there is no prostitution).

[Ombra]

Being able to buy booze only 21 hours a day is truly awful. I think that I'll have to move to Cambodia.

[hotandsticky]

3 minutes ago, Ombra said:

Being able to buy booze only 21 hours a day is truly awful. I think that I'll have to move to Cambodia.

 

 

Bye.

 

 

You will like it there, it's cheaper and they have Angkor beer.

[Purdey]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Pattaya could enhance its appeal as a lively and inclusive tourist destination

I think they mean pissed 24 hours, urinating on the streets while fighting bar security one handed.

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, Ombra said:

Being able to buy booze only 21 hours a day is truly awful. I think that I'll have to move to Cambodia.

Where do you get 21 hours a day from?  If M&P shops it would be 24 hours but

11AM to 2PM and 5PM to 11PM only 9 Hours!

Bar hours in some areas are a few hours longer!

[hotchilli]

There trying to appease the quality tourist who wishes to sip a cold Chardonnay with their lobster lunch

[sambum]

Hopefully Koh Samui and Phuket will follow suit.

 

These destinations are only in existence as they now stand due to the influx of much tourist money over the decades, and we can safely assume that most tourists are not Buddhists so why should they have to conform to Buddhist principles.

 

Personally, I can live with the bars being closed on the Buddha days, but what is frustrating is not being able to purchase alcohol at any of the major supermarkets between 2pm and 5pm.

[kingstonkid]

9 hours ago, hotsun said:

Its annoying i cant buy a beer at 7-11 in the afternoon. Let people buy what they want

We can agree on that but really where in Pattaya are bars closed in the afternoon 

[scottiejohn]

6 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

We can agree on that but really where in Pattaya are bars closed in the afternoon 

Ones that haven't passed on the brown envelope!

[riverhigh]

Let's face it the 2pm - 5pm alcohol sale ban is just plain inconvenient! The heavy drinkers will adapt and work around this inconvenience. It is ridiculous to think that this 3 hour time ban will have any effect on the level of alcoholism in Thailand.

[jesimps]

11 hours ago, hotsun said:

Its annoying i cant buy a beer at 7-11 in the afternoon. Let people buy what they want

Also in the morning. I like to shop the big supermarkets as early as possible so I can get it out of the way and get home before the lunch time road traffic build up. It would be nice to be able to buy my booze at the same time, rather than wait until after 11am to do it. The whisky that  I drink isn't stocked at the 7-11s etc so i either have to start my supermarket shopping later, or make a special trip to Pattaya just for booze. While I'm having a whinge, it annoys me the way some rope off the booze areas out of licensing hours. I like to be able to see if they have my brand in stock, as sometimes they run out. I have been known to hang around until after 11 only to discover that they're out of stock. Whinge over.