Report Phuket Bars Cleared to Serve Alcohol on Buddhist Holidays

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of Phuket 101

 

In a relief for both tourists and locals, Phuket's bars and entertainment venues have been granted permission to serve alcohol on Asarnha Bucha Day and other major Buddhist holidays. This follows confirmation from the island's top police official amidst earlier confusion.

 

Earlier this week, a bar in Koh Kaew faced uncertainty after being told to close on Asarnha Bucha Day, due to its location outside a designated tourist zone. Seeking clarity, The Phuket News consulted Major General Sinlert Sukhum, the Phuket Provincial Police Chief, who swiftly resolved the issue.

 

"All licensed service establishments in Phuket may sell alcohol on Asarnha Bucha Day," affirmed Maj. Gen. Sinlert. This policy extends to all five major Buddhist holidays: Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Asarnha Bucha Day, Wan Khao Pansa, and Wan Ork Pansa. This is underpinned by an official announcement from the suspended Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, published in the Royal Gazette in May.

 

Further clarification was issued in June, stating that hotels, airport terminals, and permitted entertainment venues may serve alcohol. However, general businesses must adhere to Thailand’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, permitting sales only between 11am–2pm and 5pm–midnight.

 

Maj. Gen. Sinlert stated, "I re-read the announcements to ensure accuracy and have informed all police superintendents in Phuket."

 

The exemptions to the alcohol ban on Buddhist holidays encompass:

 

• Sales at international airport passenger terminals
• Licensed service establishments under the Service Establishment Act
• Venues recognised as tourist attractions by the Ministry of Public Health
• Hotels registered under the Hotel Act
• Sites hosting significant national or international events announced by authorities

 

Despite the relaxed regulations, Maj. Gen. Sinlert emphasised the importance of responsibility. "Sellers must implement measures for public peace, safety, and restrict access for children and youth," he noted, referencing Section 4 of the announcement.

 

This development is poised to assist the local tourism sector, ensuring visitors can enjoy their stay without disruption while preserving the spirit of the holidays.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-08

 

 

[ikke1959]

Why only in Phuket and not in the rest of Thailand.. Anyway Thailand is the only Buddhistic country that forbids alcohol on Buddhist holiday, strange as Thailand is not even a real Buddhistic country but a mix of several religions...

[Yagoda]

7 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Why only in Phuket and not in the rest of Thailand.. Anyway Thailand is the only Buddhistic country that forbids alcohol on Buddhist holiday, strange as Thailand is not even a real Buddhistic country but a mix of several religions...

But thats their rule, why is it a problem? Their country, their rules

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

But thats their rule, why is it a problem? Their country, their rules

The problem is rather obvious wouldn't you think. What about Bangkok or Pattaya and if the "law" is based on Buddhism how can it be selectively disregarded in certain areas? Makes zero sense like the entirety of prohibition laws in Thailand. 

[CallumWK]

6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, general businesses must adhere to Thailand’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, permitting sales only between 11am–2pm and 5pm–midnight.

 

Looks like, as usual, everyone makes up their own rules, including this Phuket provincial chief.

 

This is what the law states, according to Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a People's Party MP, and it says that convenience stores can not sell alcohol for 24 hours during Buddha days.

 

The ban remains in place except in some businesses which are permitted to sell alcohol.

"Roadside food stalls, convenience stores, restaurants and supermarkets are not included in the new announcement. They still cannot sell alcohol," he wrote on his Facebook page.

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[Yagoda]

26 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

The problem is rather obvious wouldn't you think. What about Bangkok or Pattaya and if the "law" is based on Buddhism how can it be selectively disregarded in certain areas? Makes zero sense like the entirety of prohibition laws in Thailand. 

Its not supposed to make sense to anyone other than them.

 

Dude, they tie cloth around trees and offer spirits Fanta. Who am I to spend any time worrying about any of stuff they do.

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Its not supposed to make sense to anyone other than them.

 

Dude, they tie cloth around trees and offer spirits Fanta. Who am I to spend any time worrying about any of stuff they do.

You might not worry about it but I'm sure business would love to see an end to this insanity. Of course not just business. Anyone who would like to buy a beer from 7-11 for example on Buddhist holidays or at 5 minutes past 2 in the afternoon of 5 minutes to 11 in the morning.

[Yagoda]

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

You might not worry about it but I'm sure business would love to see an end to this insanity.

Their businesses. They are used to it.

 

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Anyone who would like to buy a beer from 7-11 for example on Buddhist holidays or at 5 minutes past 2 in the afternoon of 5 minutes to 11 in the morning.

If one is that desperate I guess I understand the complaint

[pub2022]

 

a failed nation without the use of alcohol. how sad.

 

[dinsdale]

3 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Their businesses. They are used to it.

 

If one is that desperate I guess I understand the complaint

Desperation has nothing to do with it. What a silly comment. How much lost revenue do you think this coming two day prohibition will amount to. As for the daily prohibition hours there is zero rationality to it. 

[Yagoda]

28 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

How much lost revenue do you think this coming two day prohibition will amount to.

Who cares. Not my country.

 

28 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

As for the daily prohibition hours there is zero rationality to it. 

I wouldnt know, Im not Thai. They define their rationality not me, and it affects me not one whit.

 

Why is that silly?

[JackGats]

They'll do anything for alcohol. They'll have drunken parties within temples before they give up on criminalizing cannabis.

[dinsdale]

13 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Who cares. Not my country.

 

I wouldnt know, Im not Thai. They define their rationality not me, and it affects me not one whit.

 

Why is that silly?

The world doesn't rotate around you mate. Seems your the sort that doesn't give a damn about anyone else as long as it doesn't affect you. 

[Yagoda]

32 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

The world doesn't rotate around you mate.

In my eyes it does. Thats why I dont concern myself with stuff that doesnt concern me because it doesnt affect me. I prefer to excersize my efforts on:

 

Stuff that concerns me and stuff that I can affect. That isnt booze rules in Thailand

 

 

[Ralf001]

8 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Why only in Phuket and not in the rest of Thailand.. 

 

Likely because the Phuket Provincial Police Chief cannot speak on the behalf of other provinces.

 

 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a relief for both tourists and locals, Phuket's bars and entertainment venues have been granted permission to serve alcohol on Asarnha Bucha Day and other major Buddhist holidays. This follows confirmation from the island's top police official amidst earlier confusion.

 

Some common sense at last.... but only Phuket ?

[Sorted2024]

Will be nationwide in the party zones no doubt

[ronster]

Watch now as bars selling on these days suddenly get raided and told oh they changed the rule 🙈

[Olof Karlsson]

Maybe because all russians in Phuket can not live without vodka every day

[harada]

Back pockets have been fattened in Phuket. 🤑🙏

[BerndD]

This is inevitable. that it will come to serious clashes between the fasting strictly Buddhist Thais and drunken rampaging Farangs.

[Gandtee]

So, who makes the laws and rules here? It seems like any Tom, Dick and Police General. And anyone who sees their nice little earners taking a hit.

[Gottfrid]

A giant leap for mankind! 🤣

[Ralf001]

38 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Some common sense at last.... but only Phuket ?

 

That would be up to the Provinces Police Chiefs to clarify, Maj. Gen. Sinlert is Police Chief of Phuket Province only.

[Aussie999]

9 hours ago, Yagoda said:

But thats their rule, why is it a problem? Their country, their rules

Actually being a national law it encompasses all of Thailand, however, as usual, local cops interpret things differently, but wh n they see Phuket making money, they will change... tomorrow 555

[Aussie999]

15 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

So, who makes the laws and rules here? It seems like any Tom, Dick and Police General. And anyone who sees their nice little earners taking a hit.

You answered your own question.

[Jiggo]

11 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Why only in Phuket and not in the rest of Thailand.. Anyway Thailand is the only Buddhistic country that forbids alcohol on Buddhist holiday, strange as Thailand is not even a real Buddhistic country but a mix of several religions...

Have you not been to Sri Lanka then.

[paul1804]

11 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Why only in Phuket and not in the rest of Thailand.. Anyway Thailand is the only Buddhistic country that forbids alcohol on Buddhist holiday, strange as Thailand is not even a real Buddhistic country but a mix of several religions...

If you read the statement published in May & again in June all registered restaurants, bars & hotels etc in the Thai tourist regions are permitted to sell alcohol on those Buddhist holidays, not just Phuket!! 

[Purdey]

Adding more days to the amount that visitors can get paralytic makes a lot of sense if you are an island that relies on making money from tourists, I guess...

[Kwausie]

Makes no difference to me either way as past holidays can still buy beer on Patong beach etc.