Report Thailand Expands Alcohol Sale Venues Amid New Law Changes

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

In an effort to stimulate tourism while maintaining cultural respect, the Thai government has modified its alcohol sale legislation, allowing more venues to offer alcoholic drinks daily. Last week's enactment of a new law explicitly permits sales in five key types of locations, effective as of Saturday. This shift bases itself on the principle of regulation over prohibition, recognising that outright bans may be largely ignored.

 

The five categories now permitted to sell alcohol include international airport terminals specifically serving outbound passengers, licensed entertainment venues such as restaurants and pubs, designated tourist areas, legally registered hotels, and venues hosting significant national or international events. These changes signal a strategic move to elevate Thailand's appeal as a travel destination, making it more attractive to international visitors accustomed to more lenient alcohol regulations.

 

The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, acknowledged the necessity of adapting regulations to fit contemporary societal norms and tourism objectives. He pointed out, “Those who wish to drink will do so regardless of the law. It is more practical to legalise sales while enforcing strict controls on vendors and imposing clear age limits for buyers.” His stance underscores a practical approach to governance, aiming to curtail illegal drinking and streamline law enforcement.

 

Interestingly, the new regulations have retained the prohibition of alcohol sales during important Buddhist festivals such as Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asanha Bucha, as well as the beginning and end of Buddhist Lent. However, the specified venues are exempt from these restrictions, a decision reflecting the delicate balance of respecting cultural traditions while promoting economic activities.

 

Prime Minister's Office Minister Chousak Sirinil, overseeing the National Office of Buddhism, supported these changes, suggesting that more establishments might soon be eligible to sell alcohol, even on significant Buddhist holidays. While some might view this as controversial, Sirinil indicated that there have been no adverse effects since the new law's introduction on Visakha Bucha Day on May 11, framing it as a thoughtfully planned part of Thailand's long-term tourism strategy.

 

Future plans could extend these allowances to include groceries within tourist zones, broadening access further. The official assessment of this legislative shift's fallout is still pending, but early indicators suggest market adaptation without major disruption.

 

Thailand's approach reflects a nuanced attempt to accommodate individual freedoms and economic advancement, simultaneously upholding cherished cultural practices. This step could set a precedent for other Southeast Asian nations navigating similar socio-economic landscapes. It remains to be seen how this balance between regulation and tradition will unfold, and its long-term impact on the tourism sector will certainly be a focal point for both domestic and international observers.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-14

 

 

[daveAustin]

2 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's approach reflects a nuanced attempt to accommodate individual freedoms and economic advancement, simultaneously upholding cherished cultural practices

I get that, but the very people it is supposedly honouring are the ones that routinely flout the rules… the locals. Make Thailand free again and let people do what they want, with obvious respect to temples, dates & such. 
Also take some off the exorbitant duty off of alcohol, which makes it very expensive for the region vis-a-vis local wages. 

[connda]

22 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The five categories now permitted to sell alcohol include international airport terminals specifically serving outbound passengers, licensed entertainment venues such as restaurants and pubs, designated tourist areas, legally registered hotels, and venues hosting significant national or international events.

Except between 2PM and 5PM daily during which the Temperance Police will bust you for disrespecting Thai culture.

[dinsdale]

4 hours ago, connda said:

Except between 2PM and 5PM daily during which the Temperance Police will bust you for disrespecting Thai culture.

Please, please stop saying just 2 pm - 5 pm. This is all that's said in the media and it's wrong and misleading. These are the prohibition hours. 12:00 am - 11:00 am and 2:00 pm - 5:00pm. 10 hours a day of legal sales at 711's, supermarkets etc. 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm - 12:00 am.

[ikke1959]

THailand make easy things difficult... Why not abolish the alcohol sales/buy law and make an minimum age with identification .... all over the country the problems solved, instead of touristic area, airports, international events.... It is too complicated...

[2long]

DMK DOMESTIC departures' 7Eleven sells beer at any or every time that I try to buy it.

This has been the case for some time now.

[RonJr]

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Please, please stop saying just 2 pm - 5 pm. This is all that's said in the media and it's wrong and misleading. These are the prohibition hours. 12:00 am - 11:00 am and 2:00 pm - 5:00pm. 10 hours a day of legal sales at 711's, supermarkets etc. 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm - 12:00 am.

the only people this hurts are the franchise owners of Seven Elevens! You just walk across the street buddha day or not and buy from a old thai lady.. such a outdated law that prevents nothing 

 

 

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Please, please stop saying just 2 pm - 5 pm. This is all that's said in the media and it's wrong and misleading. These are the prohibition hours. 12:00 am - 11:00 am and 2:00 pm - 5:00pm. 10 hours a day of legal sales at 711's, supermarkets etc. 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm - 12:00 am.

 

[RonJr]

Ive Purchased alcohol every single buddhist holiday for three years here in thailand, im sure the same is for everyone else. You would think the owners of seven eleven thailand would have paid off a politician or gotten better lobby before now… i eventually think they will prevail and finally allow sales, or just legalize it for farang only lol 

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

THailand make easy things difficult... Why not abolish the alcohol sales/buy law and make an minimum age with identification .... all over the country the problems solved, instead of touristic area, airports, international events.... It is too complicated...

Thailand often flouts the law as they stand.. there's always a way to buy alcohol wherever and whenever you want it.

[wensiensheng]

If the government ever thought, or currently thinks, that restricting alcohol sales serves to culturally respect Buddha, they should think again. Buddhists throughout Thailand habitually buy alcohol and gamble on the holiest of holy days. Why? Because they want to. Trying to stop them is like trying to stop time itself.

If alcohol is permitted to be sold, Thai people can pay their respects to Buddha in what ever way they wish. For some people that will mean getting totally drunk after a day/night of gambling. For others, a day spent at the temple in silent dedication.

[outsider]

15 hours ago, daveAustin said:

I get that, but the very people it is supposedly honouring are the ones that routinely flout the rules… the locals. Make Thailand free again and let people do what they want, with obvious respect to temples, dates & such. 
Also take some off the exorbitant duty off of alcohol, which makes it very expensive for the region vis-a-vis local wages. 

 

Alcohol in Thailand isn't the cheapest in the region, but it's way cheaper than Malaysia. A large bottle of Singha in our local Thai seven is still cheaper than one can of Carlsberg (~330ml) in Malaysia's seven. A case of Singha here is what... THB 6xx? In Malaysia, a case of Carlsberg is around MYR 14x. That's around THB 1,1xx. Ditto their wine prices. Prices at restos are even higher. It's surprising that Malaysia still has an 'alcohol industry' given the prices vs average wage in that country.

[DUNROAMIN]

Who gives a toss about tourist, how about changing the rules for the general public. 

[dinsdale]

27 minutes ago, RonJr said:

the only people this hurts are the franchise owners of Seven Elevens! You just walk across the street buddha day or not and buy from a old thai lady.. such a outdated law that prevents nothing 

You are totally mistaken. The range of alcoholic beverages at most mom & pop shops is limited. What the 12:00 am - 11:00 am prohibition does, for example, is preclude someone going to Big C in the morning to stock up when there are not many people there and to dodge the heat on hot days which of course here in Thailand are most days. 

[Jiggo]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

THailand make easy things difficult... Why not abolish the alcohol sales/buy law and make an minimum age with identification .... all over the country the problems solved, instead of touristic area, airports, international events.... It is too complicated...

I was in a 7/11 a few years ago buying an ice cream, 2 kids in front of me where buying Singa, ok it was before 14.00 hours.

[2long]

Has anyone actually figured out what this means?

Is it the 2-5pm thing, or certain places or days?

The article (at least for me) isn't very clear and has lots of words... I get bored and confused very quickly.

[Aussie999]

And, like the cannabis law, for medicinal purposes only, and we know how that went, I think the alcohol law will go the same way.

[jwest10]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

THailand make easy things difficult... Why not abolish the alcohol sales/buy law and make an minimum age with identification .... all over the country the problems solved, instead of touristic area, airports, international events.... It is too complicated...

Obviously, with other issues too it is

[Sydebolle]

Until those geeks got their act together I can only recommend to all those living along the border, say the Mekong, to hop across to the Comrades on such days. There you have zero restrictions (maybe a different Buddhism is celebrated there) and there are also no restriction on hours during the day, when you cannot buy booze as in Thailand.

Thailand is a far cry away from professional and welcoming tourism business. What is applied to the uneducated underlings in the land keeps the distinguished dirty Farang tourist away. Latter, being educated, mature and an adult, does not need anyone breathing down their neck, be it as retiree or as a tourist. Until that is understood, Thailand can only benefit of arguably better domestic infrastructure compared to its neighbours. 

[crazykopite]

The outdated law of buying alcohol in stores shops  between 11 and 2 and from 5 onwards is ridiculous it’s time they reviewed this outdated law 

[LudwigK]

Also in pharmacy?

[JJ-Thailand]

What we need is pre-mixed Mekong-Coke available 24/7.

[Cabradelmar]

Thailand needs to stop all its complaining about misbehaving tourist, immediately... when you invite more to the party with the promise of more alcohol, you get what you deserve.

[Dart12]

I enjoy the bars having to be closed for a day here and there.  
 

And am happy for service industry people to get some days off.

 

as others have said.  The daily hours is the more annoying law

[Mywayboy]

Never have & never will comprehend any Thai laws as they are all ignored.

Attempt too enforce traffic laws firstly that will be a good starting point & driving culture. 

Teach Thais too drive responsibly. 

[Felton Jarvis]

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

THailand make easy things difficult... Why not abolish the alcohol sales/buy law and make an minimum age with identification .... all over the country the problems solved, instead of touristic area, airports, international events.... It is too complicated...

No country on earth gives a damn what non-citizens think.  Absolutely NOTHING is done with expats in mind.

[petedk]

3 hours ago, 2long said:

Has anyone actually figured out what this means?

Is it the 2-5pm thing, or certain places or days?

The article (at least for me) isn't very clear and has lots of words... I get bored and confused very quickly.

 

What are "tourist areas", what are "special areas", "deignated venues". Yes, it's very vague

[ikke1959]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thailand often flouts the law as they stand.. there's always a way to buy alcohol wherever and whenever you want it.

We know as we live here, but tourists.... They have no clue and it is all very confusing.. The first day arriving in Thailand, sitting on the beach at 15.00 and they go to the 7/11 to buy a can of beer, to relax and rest from their jetlag... But than they tell you impossible only at 17.00... And if you are lucky there are local elections, or there is a Buddhistic holiday there is no possibility..That will give tourists a feeling of welcoming, as they passed a grumpy immigration officers, was ripped off by a taxi and now no can of beer or glass of wine... They will be sure coming back and tell their family and friends about it..Not all tourists are drunk always, but just this outdated law should be abolished...I think it is very clear to see how old some one is and if you doubt ask for a ID.. They will see I am not 18 anymore with my grey hair

[ikke1959]

3 hours ago, Jiggo said:

I was in a 7/11 a few years ago buying an ice cream, 2 kids in front of me where buying Singa, ok it was before 14.00 hours.

There is no control on anything in Thailand, that is why it is a mess.. The police doesn't do anything, the Thai people don't care about anything with the result that it is a mess and things like this are happening.. If a old grey haireed man comes at 14.15 to buy a can of Singha it will be refused. It would be better to show an id by doubt about age before you can buy alcohol

[madmitch]

Why repeat the story published a few days ago and attracting exactly the same comments?

[ikke1959]

23 minutes ago, petedk said:

 

What are "tourist areas", what are "special areas", "deignated venues". Yes, it's very vague

Everything in Thailand is vague... read the articles with fines... fine of maximum 100.000 and or a jailterm of 3 months for something and than we all know that if you bribe them nothing happens... All laws have this and the RTP is too lazy to enforce anything