Report Thailand Tightens Alcohol Sales: New Rules Take Effect

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

In a significant update to alcohol regulations, Thailand has announced new sales restrictions starting today, affecting bars, restaurants, and travelers nationwide.

 

According to an official announcement by the Royal Gazette dated June 26, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued new rules on alcohol sales. These changes update the 2015 regulations to better suit current conditions, based on recommendations from the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee.

 

Effective June 27, sales will only be allowed during specific hours: from 11am to 2pm, and from 5pm to midnight. This applies throughout the country, but with the following exceptions:

 

1. Airports: Alcohol sales are permitted in airport buildings servicing international passengers.
2. Service Establishments: Businesses can sell alcohol during their legal operating hours.
3. Hotels: Sales are allowed under the rules set by the Hotel Act.

 

Reasons for the Change

 

These new regulations aim to more effectively manage alcohol consumption while accommodating the needs of key sectors such as tourism and hospitality. By allowing sales in airports and hotels, the policy supports international visitors and business operations.

 

Businesses will need to adjust, particularly local bars and restaurants, which comprise a significant part of Thailand’s vibrant nightlife. The goal is to strike a balance between curbing excessive drinking and supporting the hospitality industry.

 

Impact on Travelers and Businesses

 

Visitors to Thailand should be aware of these time restrictions and exceptions when planning their activities. Businesses, especially those outside of the exception categories, must adapt to the new sales windows.

 

Overall, this move represents a controlled approach to alcohol regulation, aiming for a healthier social environment without hindering tourism and business.

 

Stay informed about these changes to enjoy your Thailand experience smoothly under the new rules.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-27

 

 

[ikke1959]

Thailand controls everyone everywhere..They decide what is good for you and what you can do or not.. Why not introduce self responsibility in the country?? Alcohol can be bought at the age of 20 yrs and with doubt an id.....Bartenders should stop servicing drunk people as in many countries is be done... and the judges should give real punishment and fines for those who are drunk behind the wheel or motorcycle.... instead of claiming  they are poor so 300 THB is already a lot for them or other excuses

[ukrules]

15 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

• Airports: Alcohol sales are permitted in airport buildings servicing international passengers.
• Service Establishments: Businesses can sell alcohol during their legal operating hours.
• Hotels: Sales are allowed under the rules set by the Hotel Act.

 

So what exactly changed then?

 

I still can't buy a bottle of Cognac if I go shopping at 3pm? What nonsense

[smedly]

stupid nonsense 

[johng]

2 minutes ago, ukrules said:

I still can't buy a bottle of Cognac if I go shopping at 3pm?

 

You might be lucky at a hotel , airport  or "beer bar"

but not at Macro,sevell elewel or MK  🤬 

[johnnybgood]

' Effective June 27, sales will only be allowed during specific hours: from 11am to 2pm, and from 5pm to midnight'

Does that include beer bars?  

The Ayatollahs are in control now?

[Schoggibueb]

So I can't see any new restrictions.

And the small shop around the corner out in the nowhere sells you a can Leo for 35B anytime.

 

No difference IMHO

[smedly]

33 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Businesses will need to adjust, particularly local bars and restaurants

clear as mud, businesses like bars have operating hours - what has changed, why mention bars at all when it seems these restrictions don't apply, confusing to say the least

[redwood1]

The 2-5PM  sales ban is almost sacred now ...Its always defended by officials, Yet no one can really explain why it exists...Strange...

[angryguy]

I read the headline as something big but the article was a letdown 

[bdenner]

Idiots, a few months ago they were talking about relaxing the archaric restrictions.

Never buy my beer from 7/11, BigC or the like anyway.

 

Eg. 15:00, Vadamair Russia wonders of a Pattaya beach into a bar, orders a screwdiver = "Cannot, enjoy your Thai holiday experience!"

Nothing new! Goodbye, miss Thaskin Shinawat, hopefully ya last harrah!

[Dan O]

20 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

The 2-5PM  sales ban is almost sacred now ...Its always defended by officials, Yet no one can really explain why it exists...Strange...

because they want the govt workers to go back to work after eating lunch 

[bkk6060]

They should ban it completely at airports. 

[DezLez]

55 minutes ago, Schoggibueb said:

So I can't see any new restrictions.

And the small shop around the corner out in the nowhere sells you a can Leo for 35B anytime.

 

No difference IMHO

I think it removes the "special entertainment zones"  which in some cities gave certain areas the  ability to open till 1 or 2 AM in those areas.

[KannikaP]

1. Hotels: Sales are allowed under the rules set by the Hotel Act.
2. Anyone know what this entails?

[zxzoomy]

31 minutes ago, DezLez said:

I think it removes the "special entertainment zones"  which in some cities gave certain areas the  ability to open till 1 or 2 AM in those areas.

Or are 'special entertainment zones' still able to continue as before under: 

 

'Service Establishments: Businesses can sell alcohol during their legal operating hours'?

[GreasyFingers]

46 minutes ago, Dan O said:

because they want the govt workers to go back to work after eating lunch 

Never thought of it that way. One of my first Government jobs in the city there were always counter lunches at the nearest pub but had to be back by 2pm. The real die-hards snuck down for one at morning and afternoon tea times.

[Negita43]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

These new regulations aim to more effectively manage alcohol consumption while accommodating the needs of key sectors such as tourism and hospitality. By allowing sales in airports and hotels, the policy supports international visitors and business operations.

 

In any event I don't see much difference to how it is now - I always buy my alcohol in the permitted hours.

So this applies to everyone (politicians included - is there a bar connected to parliament?)

What is the justification? Too many alcoholics, too many suffering from liver issues and stressing the medical system, government collecting too much tax on alcohol and want to help people save money.🙃

 

[phetphet]

This will really help increase the tourist numbers, and the health of the nation.

[shocky2012]

Pretty sure the mom & pop shops across the country will keep selling all day long, so yeah — nothing to see here.
 

Thailand’s obsession with trying to control absolutely everything is something I’ve rarely seen anywhere else. I think it has a lot to do with the old guard still clinging to power in the government.
 

Honestly, I really don’t think we’d be seeing stuff like this if someone like Pita were Prime Minister. He seems far more in touch with current global realities, unlike the people in charge right now who, frankly, often seem completely disconnected from how the world actually works.
 

[Stocky]

Quote

Thailand Tightens Alcohol Sales

No they haven't!

The rules are exactly the same as before, with the new exceptions for airports and hotels where the laws are being relaxed.

 

So the headline should be "Thailand Relaxes Alcohol Sales Law"

[daveAustin]

4 hours ago, redwood1 said:

The 2-5PM  sales ban is almost sacred now ...Its always defended by officials, Yet no one can really explain why it exists...Strange...

Because nobody in these successive kindergarten governments has the balls to change it to normality for fear of upsetting certain dull influential peers and the dogooder teetotaller plebs. It might even make the doer appear un-Buddhist. 🙄

[Peter Crow]

Next step will be to ban alcohol completely. And convert Nana plaza into a mosque. 

[TimBKK]

4 hours ago, bdenner said:

Idiots, a few months ago they were talking about relaxing the archaric restrictions.

Never buy my beer from 7/11, BigC or the like anyway.

 

Eg. 15:00, Vadamair Russia wonders of a Pattaya beach into a bar, orders a screwdiver = "Cannot, enjoy your Thai holiday experience!"

Nothing new! Goodbye, miss Thaskin Shinawat, hopefully ya last harrah!

We only need a downvote, broken heart and thanks to complete the full emoji circuit

[Puccini]

5 hours ago, johng said:

 

You might be lucky at a hotel , airport  or "beer bar"

but not at Macro,sevell elewel or MK  🤬 

 

What is sevell elewel?

[StayinThailand2much]

Great way to foster tourism... 😆 

[chickenslegs]

3 hours ago, Puccini said:

 

What is sevell elewel?

[2long]

It's simple.

In a few months they will 'relax' the same laws, so that they are the same as now and as they have been forever, then expect us to be grateful.

[CanadaSam]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Service Establishments: Businesses can sell alcohol during their legal operating hours.

 

I read that as restaurants can now stop the BS of not selling from 2-5 PM!  An improvement IMHO.

 

You wont believe the amount of times I've been refused a glass of wine or a beer during lunch at nice restaurants, especially in malls, if I choose to have lunch at 2:05 PM!

[watchcat]

11 hours ago, ukrules said:

So what exactly changed then?

 

Her lips moves like a real puppet?