On 10/23/2025 at 6:14 AM, ukrules said:

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.

If this also applies to shops, I disagree with you. After all, I have to drive 45 kilometres to buy wine. If I can do that in the afternoon while I'm shopping, it's a lot easier, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.

16 hours ago, WHansen said:

I guess being able to stay open until 4am will only really benefit the high tourist areas, in quieter areas there just aren't the punters to justify staying open to 4am. Where i am, near Hua Hin, during the week it is common to see most of the bars shut at 11.

Agreed. Experience in the UK where 24/7 sales were allowed a few years ago led to a rash of late opening that soon diminished when customers, who only had the same amount of money to spend as before, started leaving early and landlords did not want to pay staff in empty pubs.

 

Very few now open after midnight, only entertainment venues where there is demand.  
 

Early diners and shoppers like me will appreciate removal of the afternoon restrictions preventing a drink with a meal.

 

Will the removal of zoning affect the ban on sales near educational establishments? The onus should really be on the sellers to prevent sales to children whilst allowing adults to buy conveniently. 

On 10/23/2025 at 7:42 AM, short-Timer said:

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. 

Mate , it's no wonder that you are still only a short timer because you would never get a decent wife with an attitude like that.What other people do  with their life is none of your business. So if they chose to stay drinking in a bar until 4am  or go home and go to bed at 8pm then that's their perogative. If you wan't to do the latter good luck to you but please don't spoil everyones fun. this new law  will be a boon for tourists and it brings us back to the good old days when we would watch the sun come up as we were walking back to our room.They were good times !!

Hallelujah. Trying to buy a bottle of wine by co-ordinating a trip to the local supermarket to fit the alcohol times is absolutely ridiculous. Everybody who lives in the sticks can buy a bottle of beer at whatever time you  choose, despite these restrictions. 

On 10/23/2025 at 7:59 AM, watchcat said:

 

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 .

 

They were obviously being ironic 🙄

On 10/23/2025 at 9:59 AM, 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 people working shift work might like to party after their shift ends at midnight. I know of a few who travel to Pattaya for a night out after their last shift.

The 2 - 5pm is a good idea and long overdue but 4am, not so smart. 

 

I guess he wants to take the focus away from cannabis given his position !!!

On 10/23/2025 at 4:42 AM, short-Timer said:

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. 

I hear you bro. There's always been money to be made on people's addictions, just look at the tobacco industry. I myself drink little or nothing most of the time, and a modest amount of beer when out and I count my lucky stars that my days of boozing all night are gone. I can see removing the 2 - 5 ban, that was an ineffective nonsense law, but as to the nighttime, I agree with you. 

On 10/23/2025 at 7:25 AM, shdmn said:

 

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.

Sounds like the title of a b movie - Vampire Girls from Thailand

On 10/23/2025 at 10:09 AM, 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.

I feel bad for you bro, but this is another example of the law of "everything changes", and it seems as though it's changing faster in Thailand than most other places.  

On 10/23/2025 at 4:38 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

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.

 

Related Stories

 

Afternoon-alcohol-sales-ban-still-in-force

 

Thailand-awaits-details-on-alcohol-advertising-restrictions

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-23

 

 

 

 

this means that they will still need brown envelopes to stay open till 6  !!!!

Back to the future. Purachai the puritan was the one who changed the closing time from 4 to 2.

On 10/23/2025 at 4:48 AM, blaze master said:

What could go wrong. 

As long as they wear their helmets, nothing 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

I feel bad for you bro, but this is another example of the law of "everything changes", and it seems as though it's changing faster in Thailand than most other places.  

They probably sell drugs to make money, I never went to Thai clubs to noisy could only stay 5 minutes 

2 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

They probably sell drugs to make money, I never went to Thai clubs to noisy could only stay 5 minutes 

I'm not a loud club person - that's not my generation - the loudest I go is good live music. I like to be able to talk to people and socialize. 

Does this mean that bars can open in any area, including residential, then on getting their open and booze licences can sell booze and play music until 04:00?!

 

Horrendous idea if so. Many people won't be getting sleep while these bars rattle on.

 

A really bad plan IMHO.

 

The 14:00 to 17:00 thing, fine as many people don't like it, tourists are caught out by it and it's flouted all over anyway. Coupled to it having no tangible justification.

On 10/23/2025 at 6:14 AM, ukrules said:

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.

looks like a lot of "people"  (as in old fuggers)  forgot what was like to be  20-25-30 years old  and stay out and party until the sun came up ..

On 10/23/2025 at 10:09 AM, 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.

Thailand does not have proper zoning.  It is desperately needed here.

On 10/22/2025 at 11:38 PM, Georgealbert said:

Officials estimate that the combined measures could generate hundreds of billions of baht in tax revenue.

"Hundreds of billions" sound a bit over-estimated, when major tourist area are already open late og Thais in general are advised to drink less...

The 2-5 thing has always been really stupid.

 

But bars open until 4 am? What could possibly go wrong?

OMG. I’m outraged.  

Well, we can expect more forums on Falangs "falling" off their 10-story balcony in Pattaya... :(

One hand i like it, on the other hand it will be a huge income loss for the small thai shops wich are selling alcohol 11-5 when 7/11 cannot.

Quality family tourists are probably not interested in the staying open until 4am

But having a alcohol drink at the beach or resort in the afternoon sounds good 👍 

20 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

Been here for many years, but it is true, I have never tried, at any time, to buy booze at a petrol station.

Used to be great.

stop and fill the rig, grab some crisps and a coupla beers to continue on with the journey.

Forget everything I said about him - he's all right that gadgy! 🙂

3 hours ago, CM Dad said:

Thailand does not have proper zoning.  It is desperately needed here.

 

A friend of mine built a house on a really nice plot of land just on the fringes of our tourist "town" in a quiet area, and 3 months later they built a shooting range next door!!!

4 minutes ago, sambum said:

3 months later they built a shooting range next door!!!

 

Better than an all night karaoke bar   or a stray dog pound 😋

On 10/23/2025 at 6:59 AM, 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, 

There is a Heineken zero now? 

On 10/22/2025 at 5:42 PM, short-Timer said:

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. 

 

So far 36 drunks have boo hoo'd your comment. 

 

Smh