Lifting Alcohol Restrictions Could Boost Thai Economy by Billions

[malt25]

Whoever did the calculations, 100 Billion, has Tourettes

[NoDisplayName]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Easing Thailand's existing restrictions on afternoon alcohol sales could inject an additional 50-100 billion baht into the economy,

 

Makes sense.

 

Think of all the additional emergency crews, tow trucks and ambulances, fire fighting equipment, doctors and nurses, blood transfusion devices, etc will be needed!  Then you can factor in the new insurance adjusters, road repair crews, auto repair shops, auto parts suppliers!

 

Imagine the "hub of chaos" as half the country drives home after work hammered!

 

Why, just the spending on additional body bags could bump the GDP a couple percentage points, assuming they aren't shipped in from China, but even then Thailand can collect 7% VAT.

[Jonathan Swift]

Maybe if they make enough from this they can shut the border to Israeli IDF troublemakers

[Jonathan Swift]

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

What? 8 400 baht more per day??? How much are they paying before extra, as extra is mostly a fraction of the total amount. Does every high quality tourist (haven´t seen any) pay like 25k baht per day? 🤣

You mean the high quality tourists which exist only in their imaginations?

[Artisi]

51 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Being able to have a drink in the afternoon and getting "hammered" are two completely different things.  The ban on alcohol from 2 to 5pm is stupid!

I agree, my comment was the Thai's thinking they are missing out on millions because of the 2-5 curfew. 

Plus not too any tourist miss having a beer in the afternoon if they want to. 

[TheAppletons]

Legal weed, hookers, round the clock drinking, casinos....next up, Elvis impersonators.

[BerndD]

"Lifting Alcohol Restrictions Could Boost Thai Economy by Billions"

 

Billions of Satang?

[riverhigh]

The last thing I want to do on holiday is time keeping. Now what time is it I can't buy a beer. Is it 1pm, 2pm, 5pm? Damn my brain hurts. So inconvenient.

[khunpeer]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Bangkok Post

 

Easing Thailand's existing restrictions on afternoon alcohol sales could inject an additional 50-100 billion baht into the economy, predominantly through increased spending by foreign tourists, experts in the industry suggest.

 

Recent findings hint that so-called "high-quality" tourists are prepared to pay an extra $250 (approximately 8,400 baht) daily for premium food and beverage experiences. Anchalee Poomsirkaew, director of the Asia-Pacific International Spirits and Wines Association, believes that relaxing four specific alcohol sale restrictions could maximise revenue impacts, potentially unlocking the full 100 billion baht.

 

The current restrictions prohibit alcohol sales between 2 and 5pm, during key Buddhist holy days, through e-commerce platforms, and outside designated zones. These limitations have been flagged for review under the guidance of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with the Ministry of Public Health examining possible reforms.

 

Picture courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Rawat Khongchat from the Night Restaurant Business Trade Association estimates that lifting the afternoon sales ban alone could boost the economy by at least 10 billion baht. This measure, he asserts, often surprises tourists who find their holiday plans disrupted due to unfamiliar sales windows.

Additionally, the nightlife sector urges the government to consider expanded zoning, allowing venues to serve patrons beyond midnight to boost tourist spending. Major tourist hubs like Bangkok, which already boasts zones such as RCA, Patpong, and Ratchadaphisek, could benefit from further adjustments to operating hours.

 

In response to concerns about the effects of abolishing sales bans on significant Buddhist holy days, Rawat suggests a phased approach. Initially, officials might consider allowing sales in the afternoon as a gradual introduction of policy change.

 

James Lambert, director at Oxford Economics, reinforced the economic potential for Thailand, based on surveys indicating that 71% of 1,800 respondents from tourism powerhouses including China, South Korea, Australia, the US, and the UK view F&B offerings as crucial. For higher-income visitors, 75% identify dining quality as a decisive travel factor, and 78% rank value for money as vital.

 

The president of the Thai Hotels Association, Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, concurs, noting current alcohol policies serve as deterrents for foreign tourists, affecting not only daily consumption but also dining experiences such as dinner cruises on Buddhist holy days.

 

As discussions forge ahead, these proposed adjustments may strike a balance, embracing both economic expansion and cultural sensitivities, to enhance Thailand's appeal on the global stage, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-21

 

 

money money money... 

[JimHuaHin]

Rubbish!!!

 

 

[redwood1]

Who here would not spend a extra 8,400 baht PER DAY  if they could buy beer between 2 and 5.....Heck 8,400 baht worth of beer is only the first round for me....lol

 

Yea ok the 2-5 sales ban is stupid , but the extra 8,400 per day for one person in sales is more stupid....

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, Jonathan Swift said:

You mean the high quality tourists which exist only in their imaginations?

Yeah of course. In reality the bar stool hero in Pattaya that was sitting ringing the bell 3 time, last seen walking home with 2 mature bar girls and 1 ladyboy. Even that will have a chance to stay under 10k. 😂 You can probably throw in a half cooked t-bone and dessert there as well.

[khunPer]

Sounds more like wishful thinking, tourist destinations are already serving alcohol after midnight in the nightlife...

[PeterA]

If people want to drink, they will buy it from the shops that sell it anytime. Or, they wait until they can buy all they want at 7-11 or other stores. The places that will see a boost is restaurants and bars. I don't see it boosting the general economy at all, just changing the times it is sold. 

[diveasia666]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Bangkok Post

 

Easing Thailand's existing restrictions on afternoon alcohol sales could inject an additional 50-100 billion baht into the economy, predominantly through increased spending by foreign tourists, experts in the industry suggest.

 

Recent findings hint that so-called "high-quality" tourists are prepared to pay an extra $250 (approximately 8,400 baht) daily for premium food and beverage experiences. Anchalee Poomsirkaew, director of the Asia-Pacific International Spirits and Wines Association, believes that relaxing four specific alcohol sale restrictions could maximise revenue impacts, potentially unlocking the full 100 billion baht.

 

The current restrictions prohibit alcohol sales between 2 and 5pm, during key Buddhist holy days, through e-commerce platforms, and outside designated zones. These limitations have been flagged for review under the guidance of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with the Ministry of Public Health examining possible reforms.

 

Picture courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Rawat Khongchat from the Night Restaurant Business Trade Association estimates that lifting the afternoon sales ban alone could boost the economy by at least 10 billion baht. This measure, he asserts, often surprises tourists who find their holiday plans disrupted due to unfamiliar sales windows.

Additionally, the nightlife sector urges the government to consider expanded zoning, allowing venues to serve patrons beyond midnight to boost tourist spending. Major tourist hubs like Bangkok, which already boasts zones such as RCA, Patpong, and Ratchadaphisek, could benefit from further adjustments to operating hours.

 

In response to concerns about the effects of abolishing sales bans on significant Buddhist holy days, Rawat suggests a phased approach. Initially, officials might consider allowing sales in the afternoon as a gradual introduction of policy change.

 

James Lambert, director at Oxford Economics, reinforced the economic potential for Thailand, based on surveys indicating that 71% of 1,800 respondents from tourism powerhouses including China, South Korea, Australia, the US, and the UK view F&B offerings as crucial. For higher-income visitors, 75% identify dining quality as a decisive travel factor, and 78% rank value for money as vital.

 

The president of the Thai Hotels Association, Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, concurs, noting current alcohol policies serve as deterrents for foreign tourists, affecting not only daily consumption but also dining experiences such as dinner cruises on Buddhist holy days.

 

As discussions forge ahead, these proposed adjustments may strike a balance, embracing both economic expansion and cultural sensitivities, to enhance Thailand's appeal on the global stage, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-21

 

 

Finally a cold one at 7/11 in the afternoon... 😉

[ross163103]

Shouldn't the headline read: "Lifting alcohol restrictions could boost certain powerful individuals bank accounts by billions"? TIT

[Taco]

Just think of all the extra revenues for the clinics and pharmacies in gauze and tape alone.

[LukKrueng]

So lifting the 3 hours daily no alcohol sales will bring an extra 50 - 100 billion Baht? That's about 47.5-95.2 million per hour (based on 350 days a year assuming the ban on Buddhist holidays remains). Are we sure we want THESE tourists running around here?

[AustinRacing]

Get your priorities right. People are getting sick with air pollution.  Casino, alcohol, pandas is what she seems more interested in. 

[sandyf]

8 hours ago, Upnotover said:

The only places following the 2-5 rule are restaurants in malls.  Nowhere else applies the rule.  I can't imagine lifting it in itself would have a measurable impact at all.

The 2-5 rule  is more of an inconvenience than anything, not going to generate a great deal. Most that want to buy will buy at some other time or settle for the mom & pop shop.

We normally go to the supermarket in the evening so can include the beer, would be a bonus to go at other times.

The greatest revenue would be from tourist specific entertainment on holy days and elections. A friend of mine has just been over for a month and got caught for 2 dry days, in Pattaya 2-5 is not a problem.

[mrfill]

5 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

That’s how much my apartment rent is. Good thing I’m not a boozer

8400 baht/day for an apartment? That's over 250000 a month - must be quite some apartment...

[mrfill]

48 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

So lifting the 3 hours daily no alcohol sales will bring an extra 50 - 100 billion Baht? That's about 47.5-95.2 million per hour (based on 350 days a year assuming the ban on Buddhist holidays remains). Are we sure we want THESE tourists running around here?

I think we can be quite sure that if they're spending that much on booze, they won't be running.

[Upnotover]

4 minutes ago, sandyf said:

The 2-5 rule  is more of an inconvenience than anything, not going to generate a great deal. Most that want to buy will buy at some other time or settle for the mom & pop shop.

We normally go to the supermarket in the evening so can include the beer, would be a bonus to go at other times.

The greatest revenue would be from tourist specific entertainment on holy days and elections. A friend of mine has just been over for a month and got caught for 2 dry days, in Pattaya 2-5 is not a problem.

Yes, and my post was with reference to the F&B industry rather than shopping.  Only once has this rule caused me any inconvenience, having to leave one restaurant and go to another.  In 28 years I don't think I'm gonna complain. 

[wensiensheng]

5 hours ago, CM Dad said:

Being able to have a drink in the afternoon and getting "hammered" are two completely different things.  The ban on alcohol from 2 to 5pm is stupid!

But will people having  your “ drink in the afternoon” bring in the billions of baht which they project?

 

I doubt it very much

[wensiensheng]

4 hours ago, Artisi said:

I agree, my comment was the Thai's thinking they are missing out on millions because of the 2-5 curfew. 

Plus not too any tourist miss having a beer in the afternoon if they want to. 

Billions. billions of baht is what they claim to be missing out on.

[Purdey]

Have to include the additional costs created by having to cleanup pavements awash with vomit and pee.

[thesetat]

11 hours ago, Artisi said:

Yeah, tourists are alway complaining that they can't get hammered between 2 - 5 pm so it makes sense that millions of baht are being missed by this archaic rule - or so it seems if you think like a Thai. 

 

yeah.. I see them almost in tears outside of 7 when they are refused... I watch them while i am drinking my beer in the bar across the street. 

about the only way changing the Thai law for selling beer would generate 10b  would be to stop banning drinking on Buddhist holidays and during elections. Otherwise, simply changing the times when buying alcohol in a store will not generate very much more income than it already does. 

[david rucker]

What poppy cock. Just a sign of third world culture

[Ralf001]

5 hours ago, malt25 said:

Whoever did the calculations, 100 Billion, has Tourettes

approx an extra sale of  6,849,315.00 small bottles of leo per day.

[black tabby12345]

I am a Non-Drinker, myself.

But often felt that restriction stupid.

It looks like mostly intended to prevent  minors from buying alcohol beverage during their school hours.

If so, they only need to check buyers' age(with their national ID card,  Thais are always required to carry around).