Pictures courtesy of Patong Police Facebook page

 

Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee has criticized Thailand's alcohol laws, highlighting confusion during religious holidays as a significant issue. He called for urgent reform of the Entertainment Venue Act of 1966, aiming to support the tourism and nightlife industries. This call follows enforcement challenges during the Buddhist Lent holiday on October 7, where inconsistencies arose over where alcohol could be sold.

 

The Entertainment Venue Act, which Chalermpong describes as vague and outdated, restricts alcohol sales during Buddhist holidays, leading to selective enforcement. He emphasizes the need for clear guidelines for licensed venues in specific zones like airports and hotels. Chalermpong claims the lack of clarity allows officials to target businesses unfairly, suggesting that the law is used for "bribery and extortion."

 

Chalermpong plans to propose an amendment to decentralize authority, empowering local governments to designate entertainment zones based on community needs. He argues that reform would not only benefit nightlife but also boost national income. His remarks followed attempts by Patong Police Chief Police Colonel Chalermchai Hernsawat to clarify enforcement rules, acknowledging overlapping regulations complicating the issue.

 

Despite efforts to inform businesses, many chose to close during the Buddhist holiday. However, venues on Bangla Road, known for nightlife, remained open due to their status as licensed entertainment venues. Chalermpong asserts that this inconsistency underscores the necessity for reform, aiming for a transparent system that balances tourism with fairness.

 

Key Takeaways

• Phuket MP Chalermpong calls for reform of outdated alcohol laws.
• Current laws create confusion and are seen as tools for corruption.
• Proposed changes aim to empower local governments and boost tourism.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-09

 

 

Indeed... make normal alcohol laws as no alcohol sales/buying for youth below 21 and by doubt id required... Stop to allow the entertainment industry to open after 2 am...and make bartenders responsible for the amount of alcohol someone can and may buy...If a totally drunk ask for more he must be able to say you had enough... And cancel all alcohol sales/buying bans on Buddhistic holidays, afternoon between 14.00 and 17.00, and on election days, as when you are drunk you are not allowed to vote..

Now it is all a mess as mom and pop shops sell, several licensed venues are allowed, and those who bribed the RTP too.. Stop with it and make clear laws

Just let us drink 24/7/364

7 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Just let us drink 24/7/364

Which day do you want to take off?

13 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Indeed... make normal alcohol laws as no alcohol sales/buying for youth below 21 and by doubt id required... Stop to allow the entertainment industry to open after 2 am...and make bartenders responsible for the amount of alcohol someone can and may buy...If a totally drunk ask for more he must be able to say you had enough... And cancel all alcohol sales/buying bans on Buddhistic holidays, afternoon between 14.00 and 17.00, and on election days, as when you are drunk you are not allowed to vote..

Now it is all a mess as mom and pop shops sell, several licensed venues are allowed, and those who bribed the RTP too.. Stop with it and make clear laws

Agreed, except for the age limit of 21. Too restrictive imo.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He called for urgent reform of the Entertainment Venue Act of 1966, aiming to support the tourism and nightlife industries

Just go for 24/7..... 

The alcohol lobby must be pleased. How about allowing alcohol on Thai holidays? 

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

Which day do you want to take off?

Hey, you must take care of your liver 1 day per year. You choose, whatever day that tickles your fancy. 

If you're allowed to die in border fighting, you're old enough to drink.

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Indeed... make normal alcohol laws as no alcohol sales/buying for youth below 21 and by doubt id required... Stop to allow the entertainment industry to open after 2 am...and make bartenders responsible for the amount of alcohol someone can and may buy...If a totally drunk ask for more he must be able to say you had enough... And cancel all alcohol sales/buying bans on Buddhistic holidays, afternoon between 14.00 and 17.00, and on election days, as when you are drunk you are not allowed to vote..

Now it is all a mess as mom and pop shops sell, several licensed venues are allowed, and those who bribed the RTP too.. Stop with it and make clear laws

Don't make clear laws, are you crazy?

Let the Thais manage their laws and Falangs accept them and be quiet.

Everything works here in Thailand. Just enjoy and let it be.

 

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

Which day do you want to take off?

Also do not forget leap years when you get an extra day....

Clear cut laws would seriously impinge on the BIB's revenue, doubt they want that.

What I need clarifying is that in the morning, say 9 or 10 a.m. or even earlier,  I cannot buy a bottle of beer, I can however go into a supermarket and buy 2 x 5 litre boxes of wine, or 10 litre bottles of whiskey. Maybe there is a rationale there somewhere, but I cannot see it. My only thought would be it stops someone of limited means buying just 1 or two bottles?

31 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

I can however go into a supermarket and buy 2 x 5 litre boxes of wine, or 10 litre bottles of whiskey. Maybe there is a rationale there somewhere, but I cannot see it

Rationale is, to allow restaurants and bars etc to buy.

3 hours ago, stevenl said:

Agreed, except for the age limit of 21. Too restrictive imo.

Do you include dope shops as well not to sell to under 21?

3 hours ago, stevenl said:

Agreed, except for the age limit of 21. Too restrictive imo.

Especially since the age of majority is 18.

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He called for urgent reform of the Entertainment Venue Act of 1966,

 

    You mean something else happened in 1966 ?

22 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

Do you include dope shops as well not to sell to under 21?

Where did I say not to sell to under 21?

Dope, I presume you mean cannabis? No idea about that regulation and enforcement at the moment.

Bring in laws like Australia. It works. If you do not know the laws -GOOGLE it. Simple.

20 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Indeed... make normal alcohol laws as no alcohol sales/buying for youth below 21 and by doubt id required... Stop to allow the entertainment industry to open after 2 am...and make bartenders responsible for the amount of alcohol someone can and may buy...If a totally drunk ask for more he must be able to say you had enough... And cancel all alcohol sales/buying bans on Buddhistic holidays, afternoon between 14.00 and 17.00, and on election days, as when you are drunk you are not allowed to vote..

Now it is all a mess as mom and pop shops sell, several licensed venues are allowed, and those who bribed the RTP too.. Stop with it and make clear laws

ALL Bars should be closed on Bhuddist holidays.  You have a great deal of people that have family in the country During holidays they should just like the guy working in an office be allowed to go visit family.  It really does not hurt anyone if a bar is closed for a day 

 

This BS about tourism will suffer is exactly that BS.  If people know that the bars are going to be closed ofr a day thent hey can plan other things to do on that day.

7 hours ago, stevenl said:

15 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Just let us drink 24/7/364

Which day do you want to take off?

We could ALL do with a day off from Gottfrid! 

Being saying for years if  Thailand wants to keep tourists happy change the 2pm to 5pm  non alcohol  sales in 7/11  Malls restaurants bars and the beach areas  where Foreign Tourusts want to spend their money 💰 and enjoy them selves 

Come into the 21st Century 

5 hours ago, stevenl said:

Rationale is, to allow restaurants and bars etc to buy.

Yes, that makes sense.

5 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

    You mean something else happened in 1966 ?

Great year, England won the world cup.

4 hours ago, Chongalulu said:

We could ALL do with a day off from Gottfrid! 

I don´t think you have understood the topic. Better try next time.

On 10/9/2025 at 5:44 PM, Gottfrid said:

Just let us drink 24/7/364

 

At least let us buy the stuff, drinkin it we can do at home.

18 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

23 hours ago, Chongalulu said:

We could ALL do with a day off from Gottfrid! 

I don´t think you have understood the topic. Better try next time.

I KNOW you haven’t understood it - nor the joke…

8 hours ago, Chongalulu said:

I KNOW you haven’t understood it - nor the joke…

Ops, little @Chongalulu got upset. Really? How sad. It didn´t take much though.