Picture courtesy of Khaosod 

 

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has directed government agencies to lift restrictions on alcohol sales and extend nightlife operating hours, in a move expected to boost state revenue by hundreds of billions of baht. The proposal includes abolishing the current zoning system for alcohol sales and allowing entertainment venues to stay open until 4AM, two hours later than the existing 2AM closing time.

 

According to a Government House source on 22 October 2025, the decision was made during the Cabinet meeting on 21 October. Anutin instructed the Interior Ministry (MOI) and the Public Health Ministry (MOPH) to work together on revising regulations to permit alcohol sales across the country without zoning limitations. The initiative also aims to relax the nationwide alcohol sales ban between 2PM and 5PM, with implementation targeted for January 2026, before Parliament is dissolved.

 

In addition to the extended operating hours, the government plans to simplify business regulations by replacing the current licensing system for entertainment venues with a more straightforward registration process. Officials estimate that the combined measures could generate hundreds of billions of baht in tax revenue. To remove zoning restrictions, amendments will be needed to ministerial regulations under the Interior Ministry, while the control of alcoholic beverages remains under the jurisdiction of the Public Health Ministry.

 

Currently, under the Ministerial Regulation on Operating Hours for Entertainment Venues (No. 3) B.E. 2566 (2023), nightclubs and bars in four provinces and one district, Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui in Surat Thani, are already permitted to open until 4AM. Entertainment venues located within hotels nationwide are also covered by this provision.

 

In Bangkok, zoning areas authorised for extended hours include Silom, Patpong, RCA Phetchaburi Road and Ratchadaphisek. Data from the city’s 50 district offices indicate that there are 207 licensed entertainment venues across 33 districts, of which 73 are within designated zones and 134 outside, including 24 located inside hotels.

 

If approved, the proposal would effectively remove geographic restrictions, allowing businesses nationwide to operate more freely and encouraging nightlife-driven tourism. The Interior and Public Health ministries are now expected to finalise the regulatory amendments to ensure the changes take effect early next year.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• PM Anutin has ordered the end of alcohol zoning and later closing times for nightlife venues.

• The government expects the changes to increase tax revenues by hundreds of billions of baht.

• Implementation is targeted for January 2026, before Parliament’s dissolution.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-23

 

 

 

 

Great, more drunk-driving road deaths and alcohol induced crime, and violence to come. And don't forget the increases in liver disease, heart attacks, and strokes. 

What could go wrong. 

Meaningless for most places, people don't generally stay out until 4am - but there will be 'hospots' which will thrive - they will be few and far between.

Stupidity of the Thai Government is unknown... In daytime you are not allowed to buy or sell alcohol, but you can do it at night till 4 am.. Thai people don't need to work?? Is it useful to stay opemn till 4 AM?? What about the people who are working in these venues? they don't need to clean and sleep?? Must there be more problems in drugs, drunk driving, fights, and traffic accidents and than claiming that the the health care costs so much money??  And more sound pollution for the people who live nearby as the people will not turn the music down after 0.00 It would be better to take away the draconic high taxes of imported alcohol and ban the alcohol sales/buying hours and that will bring more profit than these stupid ideas they have now..

And the RTP will do nothing b y complains as there working hours are from 9 to 17 and they are being paid by the entertainment venue not to come by complaints.. 

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The initiative also aims to relax the nationwide alcohol sales ban between 2PM and 5PM, with implementation targeted for January 2026, before Parliament is dissolved

If this said scrap instead of relax it would be good news. What exactly does relax mean?  11:00 am start is also BS.

Smoke dope. Keep partying right thru the night. No point in getting up until 11 am.

 

I like this bloke. 

 

When is he bringing back opium dens?

 

 

I have traveled the world and loved to party but if you need to be drinking till 4 in the morning, you 've got a problem, Drop the 2 till 5 nonsense, and will someone tell 7/11 that Heineken Zero is not alcohol so can be sold anytime. In fact put it on the shelf with coke and pepsi, 

24 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

And the RTP will do nothing b y complains as there working hours are from 9 to 17

What planet do you live on? RTP like ALL police everywhere in the world are 24/7.

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More noise, more drunk idiots yelling and fighting, more drunk driver deaths.  But somehow, cannabis is the problem.

I love how this thread clearly identifies those that only read headlines 

32 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I have traveled the world and loved to party but if you need to be drinking till 4 in the morning, you 've got a problem, Drop the 2 till 5 nonsense, and will someone tell 7/11 that Heineken Zero is not alcohol so can be sold anytime. In fact put it on the shelf with coke and pepsi, 

 

Many younger Thais, especially Thai girls, are vampires. Preferring to stay up all night and sleep all day because they don't want the sun making their skin darker.  When I first get to Pattaya I am jetlagged and often up at 4am.  The streets in certain areas are packed with Thai girls at that time.  Absolutely packed.  A lot of bargirls going home from work but others too.  Many still mulling around at that time, shopping and eating or whatever.  That goes on till just before the sun comes up and then they all disappear.  

 

If one were so inclined, that would be a really good time to meet them.  Almost no punters around at that time.  Drunk or sober.

Just now, ikke1959 said:

And the RTP will do nothing b y complains as there working hours are from 9 to 17 and they are being paid by the entertainment venue not to come by complaints.. 

 

Think you got the police working hours a little bit wrong.

I thought is was 09:00 to 9:45 on a good day.

4 minutes ago, shdmn said:

 

Most younger Thais, especially Thai girls, are vampires. Preferring to stay up all night and sleep all day because they don't want the sun making their skin darker.  When I first get to Pattaya I am jetlagged and often up at 4am.  The streets in certain areas are packed with Thais girls at that time.  Absolutely packed.  Not just girls going home from walking street or whatever.  They are still mulling around at that time, shopping and eating or whatever.  That goes on till just before the sun comes up and then they all disappear.

All working girls who surprise surprise mostly work at night.

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

there will be 'hospots' which will thrive - they will be few and far between.

 

Thank god!

When i first came here 25+ years ago it was 24 hours open, far less violence, far less accidents, nobody was in a rush, rules on times just fuel binge drinking and violence. Wind it back!!

30 minutes ago, shdmn said:

More noise, more drunk idiots yelling and fighting, more drunk driver deaths.  But somehow, cannabis is the problem.

 

I dont smoke anymorebut I can't believe that cannabis is the problem, I'd think that alcohol is the main reason for this. and the money hungry governent .

 

Post discussing a removed post removed

Fantastic news, I typically wake 2 to 3 am every day... will be able to stop and have some morning beers on the way to work.

15 minutes ago, LennyW said:

here 25+ years ago it was 24 hours open, far less violence, far less accidents,

 

...and also less tourists!

31 minutes ago, LennyW said:

When i first came here 25+ years ago it was 24 hours open, far less violence, far less accidents, nobody was in a rush, rules on times just fuel binge drinking and violence. Wind it back!!

 

That settles it then.  Your hard evidence is undeniable and makes perfect sense.🤦

 

 

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The initiative also aims to relax the nationwide alcohol sales ban between 2PM and 5PM, 

 

This would be good,idiots screeming in bars until 4 Am +  he can skip. 

If the 2-5pm is scapped (not relaxed whatever that means) then that's good. Also open up at 8 or 9 in the morning. Opening at 11:00 is insane.

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

What planet do you live on? RTP like ALL police everywhere in the world are 24/7.

 

We (and the neighbours) have complained many times about the pubs still being open until 4 or 6 am, but no one cares.

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Stupidity of the Thai Government is unknown... In daytime you are not allowed to buy or sell alcohol, but you can do it at night till 4 am.. Thai people don't need to work?? Is it useful to stay opemn till 4 AM?? What about the people who are working in these venues? they don't need to clean and sleep?? Must there be more problems in drugs, drunk driving, fights, and traffic accidents and than claiming that the the health care costs so much money??  And more sound pollution for the people who live nearby as the people will not turn the music down after 0.00 It would be better to take away the draconic high taxes of imported alcohol and ban the alcohol sales/buying hours and that will bring more profit than these stupid ideas they have now..

And the RTP will do nothing b y complains as there working hours are from 9 to 17 and they are being paid by the entertainment venue not to come by complaints.. 

 

Some developers bought 9 houses in the middle of our residential area and are slowly converting them to nightclubs. Two pubs now are often open until 4 am or later and yes, there are many young customers. The girls wander outside into the car park screaming and shouting all night long. Cars sound their horns all night long. Motorcycles with modified exhausts drive back and forth all night long. Fights occasionally break out. 

What do all these people do? How can they afford to drink like this every day as I am sure they are not working.

 

What was once a quiet residential area is now a night hotspot and getting worse despite constant complaints from the neighbours.

4 minutes ago, petedk said:

 

Some developers bought 9 houses in the middle of our residential area and are slowly converting them to nightclubs. Two pubs now are often open until 4 am or later and yes, there are many young customers. The girls wander outside into the car park screaming and shouting all night long. Cars sound their horns all night long. Motorcycles with modified exhausts drive back and forth all night long. Fights occasionally break out. 

What do all these people do? How can they afford to drink like this every day as I am sure they are not working.

 

What was once a quiet residential area is now a night hotspot and getting worse despite constant complaints from the neighbours.

The night is for ...... you know.. girls at night on the street are probably offering themselves, so they have money to spend and the boys are many times dealers, although it doesn't exist according to the RTP... so they have money too.. Both don't need to work but can prevent other people of a good night sleep as those have a normal job.. And the RTP???? you know... mostly easy money to earn and don't need to do anything for it

Purchasing hours at 711 etc should be 8 am to midnight. Some might argue that midnight's too early. Maybe it is. Maybe tourist centres it should be 24 hours.

6 hours ago, short-Timer said:

heart attacks, and strokes. 

 

This could happen any day mostly when ypu're sleping (strokes)

 

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

in a move expected to boost state revenue by hundreds of billions of baht

Folks in Thailand are permitted to drink more in an effort to boost state revenue. Sounds like a much better plan than huge tariffs on sneakers 🙂