30 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

 

You mean get to the front of the queue at the checkout before 2pm.

 

What about people who work shifts like 6am-2pm? One advantage is that they can go shopping on the way home when it's not busy. Why should they wait 3 hours and then make an extra trip during rush hour? 🤔

Typicaly Thai's are not affected by these sales times (plenty of places to buy instead of supermarkets and convenience stores) so your anecdote is moot.

 

that's baffles me with Farnags that live here.... and cry about these laws !

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Yeah I do not keep booze on hand 24/7... I do know when I will need to purchase it though and schedule my time accordingly.

 

That's fair enough.

 

I never know when I'm going to "need" booze. I try and avoid scheduling anything here if I can avoid it. Which is why it would be convenient if the rules were relaxed, especially as my beer of choice is Singha Lite, which I have yet to find in a mam and pap shop.

25 minutes ago, Formaleins said:

Did they manage to remove restrictions from 7/11? The worst thing about this idiot law is that if you read the signs in the shops regarding the sale of booze, it appears to be perfectly legal to buy booze in the "restricted" hours, providing the amount of booze purchased is obviously for a business or a raging alcoholic - I forget the amount, it might be a case or two. Try getting the shops to abide by this "NON LAW" - I have not found one single shop that is willing to sell booze during these hours for the amount stated to be legal by the government, you can even point to their own damn signs at checkout telling them this but they refuse to sell.

 

No helping some people.

Used to be 10lt minimum.

 

I thought that got canned a few years back.... Well Makro Pattaya got rid of it anyways.

Just now, JayClay said:

 

That's fair enough.

 

I never know when I'm going to "need" booze. I try and avoid scheduling anything here if I can avoid it. Which is why it would be convenient if the rules were relaxed, especially as my beer of choice is Singha Lite, which I have yet to find in a mam and pap shop.

 

I know when I will need it as I know what events are happening at home and know what booze (if any) needs to be purchased.

 

wish I could roll through life with no schedule/plans... that would be bliss.

18 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Good news, but wonder whether this includes retail too?

The post clearly states restaurants... No mention of retail outlets.

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

wish I could roll through life with no schedule/plans... that would be bliss.

 

It has its upsides and downsides.

 

I don't deal with stress very well these days, so I find having as little plans as possible is very helpful for me.

 

But, on the other hand, it does tend to lead to long periods with little to do (hence my recent little posting-frenzy here...)

Needs to be wholesale… i.e. 7-11 etc and be like a normal country or a waste of time. Stop moddy coddling people or pander to dopey non-alcohol voices or for silly religious reasons. And if kids want a drink, they will get it no matter what the law says. 

Flip flop Thailand.... On EVERY single thing....

I wonder why the tourists don't want to come anymore..???

7 minutes ago, TheTightArseTraveller said:

Flip flop Thailand.... On EVERY single thing....

I wonder why the tourists don't want to come anymore..???

 

I don't think many tourists follow these kind of stories.

7 minutes ago, TheTightArseTraveller said:

Flip flop Thailand.... On EVERY single thing....

I wonder why the tourists don't want to come anymore..???

 

I don't think many tourists follow these kind of stories.

18 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo courtesy of Shutterstock

 

Thailand has officially lifted its ban on selling alcohol in restaurants from 2 PM to 5 PM, a decision set to increase sales by 25%. The restaurant industry is celebrating, with hopes that this move will stimulate both the economy and tourism. Appreciation has been extended to the Thai government for this forward-thinking change, which includes both ruling and opposition parties.

 

Sorathep Rojpojchanarat, the chair of the Restaurant Business Association and honorary advisor to the Thailand Hostel Association, conveyed his gratitude to the government. The decision comes after years of advocacy by the association, which called for an update to the antiquated 1972 law that restricted alcohol sales during these hours. Sorathep noted this change is crucial for a country that ranks as one of the world’s top tourist destinations, enhancing its appeal and aligning legal standards with current international norms.

 

The association has been vocal about concerns that the ban is negatively affecting businesses and pushing tourists to avoid restaurants during the banned hours. Many visitors prefer to enjoy a drink with their meal, and the ban had led to a significant loss of potential business. Restaurants experienced a noticeable lull in activity between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., missing out on revenue as tourists postponed their visits until the evening.

 

Addressing the concerns surrounding youths' exposure to alcohol, Sorathep assured that the regulations apply specifically to restaurants. Existing laws, such as the legal drinking age of 20 and stringent drink-driving laws, continue to protect young people. The focus remains on cultivating a culture of awareness and responsibility, similar to successful campaigns in other areas, like road safety and environmental cleanliness.

 

Lifting this restriction is expected to revitalise the restaurant industry, which is a significant component of Thailand's economy. By allowing alcohol sales throughout the afternoon, restaurants can offer their guests a more welcoming and complete experience, enhancing Thailand's image as a tourist-friendly destination. This move is poised to create a ripple effect, boosting not just the restaurant business but also related industries, thereby contributing to broader economic growth.

 

Tourists visiting Thailand often look for experiences that allow them to relax and enjoy local cuisine paired with drinks. By aligning with these expectations, Thailand strengthens its competitive edge in the global tourism market. The change will help mitigate previous frustrations among foreign visitors and provide a more consistent legislative framework.

 

Moving forward, this decision could set a precedent for further adjustments that align Thai regulations with international standards, promoting a more adaptable and inclusive environment for growth. The government and industry stakeholders are now keenly observing how this shift impacts sales and visitor satisfaction, which might drive additional reforms in other sectors.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Afternoon alcohol ban lifted, anticipating a 25% sales boost.
• Move aligns with modern tourism demands and international standards.
• Existing laws maintain youth protection, focusing on responsible drinking culture.

Related stories:

UPDATE: Alcohol Sales Confusion: Can Restaurants Sell from 2-5 PM?

 

Lifting Alcohol Restrictions Could Boost Thai Economy by Billions

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod Online 2025-09-11

 

 

a sandwich and 8 beers please.!!!

18 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Good news, but wonder whether this includes retail too?

I was wondering the same thing also!  Does this mean I do not have to do schedule my grocery shopping outside of the hours of 2pm to 5pm any longer? 🤔

5 minutes ago, David T Pike said:

I was wondering the same thing also!  Does this mean I do not have to do schedule my grocery shopping outside of the hours of 2pm to 5pm any longer? 🤔

 

It's been answered several times in the thread, and it also says it in the OP: Restaurants only.

 

 

 

I guess this really only affects chain restaurants , really... Has anybody actually ever been refused a beer with their meal between 2 and 5pm in an independent restaurant?

18 hours ago, webfact said:

forward-thinking change

 

Many moons ago—over 40 years now—I was taught very explicitly that behavioral modification cannot be reduced to engineering models. If this change literally means encouraging more alcohol consumption, then it cannot be considered forward-thinking. At best, it is short-sighted.

 

Increase sales by 25%. Sound like TAT numbers more like 5%.

For many years I drank in the afternoon in an open-to-the-street restaurant in Sukhumvit Soi 19 Bangkok, never any issues. Didn't even know that they weren't supposed to be serving.

(It was more of a restaurant than a bar/restaurant.)

Alcohol abuse and dependence causes far more misery and death to the user and family than any other substance, including heroin or ganja. 
Stricter controls are needed. Anutin cares more for profit than wellbeing of the people. 
Only alcoholics  are rejoicing at this decree. 

3 minutes ago, JimCM said:

Only alcoholics  are rejoicing at this decree. 

 

Correction; only alcoholics who have a penchant for regularly eating in chaim restaurants between 2 and 5pm are rejoicing at this decree.

 

I imagine that's an incredibly small amount of people.

Huh????? They can sell, they can't sell. How is it possible to announce this kind of thing, if it is not true or false?? Just don't talk about updates if nothing is updated.

18 hours ago, impulse said:

On an aside, when I moved to from Yankeeland to Texas in the late '70s, I was gobsmacked that they allowed drivers to drive down the road sipping on a beer.

 

Driving down dusty country roads in Missouri while drinking a cold beer is one of my fondest memories of high school in the 80s.

Thailand, 'rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty'.

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Huh????? They can sell, they can't sell. How is it possible to announce this kind of thing, if it is not true or false?? Just don't talk about updates if nothing is updated.

 

Which part of the story are you struggling with?

 

Restaurants can now sell between 2 and 5pm

Shops still can't.

 

It's stupid, yes. But it's not difficult!

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

The post clearly states restaurants... No mention of retail outlets.

So I still cannot buy a bottle of voddy to go with my cheese toasty.

20 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Big deal. Most bars sell during these hours. This is not a 2-5 or even midnight-11 am lifting of this insane anachronistic law. As for restaurants they were selling in the 2-5 slot until Prayut closed this down.

Licensed bars and entertainment venues are allowed to sell alcohol after Midnight until closing time.

20 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

I think most people stop work at 5 or later, not at 2.

Thai workers especially those in blue collar work some of them tend to slouch off after drinking at noon. They never return after lunch break. Even for line assembly making it a headache for line managers . This excuse I heard from my Thai friend who has a factory in Rayong. 

Nothing will change at the front as everybody strictly ignored this governmental flatulence from Day One. 

I am sooo happy now for all the booze addicted.😁

I thank the Government for this forward-thinking initiative. Teens should now be able to buy a mid-afternoon drink in order to calm their nerves over the worry of watching on-line porn.😋

56 minutes ago, JayClay said:

 

Which part of the story are you struggling with?

 

Restaurants can now sell between 2 and 5pm

Shops still can't.

 

It's stupid, yes. But it's not difficult!

I think you missed it. In the article they clarify that alcohol sales is still forbidden....

21 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

Happy days are here again......

 

Yes, more pee artists out on the street causing drunken brawls and harassment!