Picture courtesy of Khoasod 

 

The Alcohol Research Centre has urged the government to reconsider proposals to relax alcohol sales regulations and extend nightlife operating hours, warning that such changes could have serious consequences for public health and safety. The centre’s director, Associate Professor Dr Polathep Vichitkunakorn, said the measures risk prioritising short-term economic benefits over the wellbeing of citizens.

 

The warning follows Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s directive to the Interior and Public Health ministries to study lifting zoning restrictions on alcohol sales and extending opening hours of entertainment venues nationwide to 4 a.m. The proposal, expected to be finalised by January 2026, also includes removing the afternoon alcohol sales ban between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. The initiative aims to boost tax income and tourism, responding to lobbying from nightlife business operators.

 

Dr Polathep said evidence from a 2023 ministerial regulation that extended operating hours in five zoning areas, Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui, showed significant negative outcomes. The study found that road accidents and injuries rose by 12%, and road fatalities increased by 13%. Drink-driving incidents more than doubled, up 115% compared to the previous year. In major tourism provinces, including Bangkok, Phuket and Chon Buri, the fatality rate jumped by 22% during the extended hours period.

 

Despite the policy’s economic objectives, the data indicated no measurable growth in revenue within the pilot zones. “Alcohol liberalisation policies may be presented as an economic shortcut, but academic evidence confirms this is a dead end in terms of public health and safety,” Dr Polathep said. “The health and social costs outweigh the economic benefits.”

 

He added that the combined effect of lifting the afternoon sales ban and extending nightlife hours encourages continuous drinking behaviour, making alcohol more accessible to labourers and young people. The centre urged the government to maintain zoning rules, strengthen ID checks and breathalyser enforcement, and impose stricter penalties for non-compliance.

 

Dr Polathep also proposed focusing on sustainable tourism sectors such as culture, nature and wellness, which generate long-term income without undermining public health. He emphasised that expanding alcohol access contradicts previous government positions that opposed similar liberalisation policies due to their social risks.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Alcohol Research Centre warns proposed deregulation could damage public health and safety.

• Pilot study showed 12% more accidents, 13% higher fatalities, and a 115% surge in drink-driving cases.

• Experts urge focus on sustainable tourism instead of alcohol-based economic policies.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Khaosod 2025-10-28

 

 

 

 

They are right.. It is not good for your health if you don't get enough sleep and stay up all night... Besides that the danger of using drugs to party will in creasing and with more drinking the roads are more dangerous,,,, Best thing is lift the alcohol ban during daytime and let the bars and entertainment venues close at max 2 am... Everybody happy and for those who want to stay up all night, go to 7/11 and buy your beer there

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

He added that the combined effect of lifting the afternoon sales ban and extending nightlife hours encourages continuous drinking behaviour, making alcohol more accessible to labourers and young people.

Utter rubbish.

Alcohol is garbage but it is what it is and can be fun, and governments make money out of it. The ‘experts’ should just heed their own advice while butting out of other peoples lives. Mind your own business!

As I mentioned earlier, how much water must flow through the Chao Praya River before this stupid rule is abolished?

On 10/28/2025 at 4:30 AM, Georgealbert said:

The Alcohol Research Centre has urged the government to reconsider proposals to relax alcohol sales regulations and extend nightlife operating hours, warning that such changes could have serious consequences for public health and safety.

I believe that consumption will stay somewhat the same, only the hours it's available will change.

Most people have a budget for alcohol or only so much time for being at a venue.

Those who wish to stay till 4am will adjust their start time, ie go out later.

Someone at the Alcohol Research Centre has obviously been at the bottle again.

On 10/28/2025 at 4:30 AM, Georgealbert said:

Despite the policy’s economic objectives, the data indicated no measurable growth in revenue within the pilot zones

If true then keep the 2 am closure. 

 

Scrap the 2 pm to 5 pm no sales period.

Everyday many tourists visit Thailand and want to pick up something to drink at the grocery store, while they are out and are Denied.  If they want to keep the ban keep it in No Tourist areas.

 

Not governments problem if people can't plan accordingly and get their fun and drink in before 2 am.  

 

Put it to a public vote and watch the 4 am close by denied.

 

Here we go again, the unelected social justice department meddling in issues that should have been put to bed 25 years ago. Have these people nothing better to do than preach and inflict their moral superiority on everyone else.

On 10/28/2025 at 4:30 AM, Georgealbert said:

evidence from a 2023 ministerial regulation that extended operating hours in five zoning areas, Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui, showed significant negative outcomes. The study found that road accidents and injuries rose by 12%, and road fatalities increased by 13%

 

That's about people out boozing between midnight and 2am. That may be instructive regarding the proposal for 4am closures, but has zero to do with people buying a bottle of wine at the grocery store at 3pm. (It also has little to do with behavior in tourist areas in places like Bangkok, where very few bar patrons are driving themselves.)

 Alcohol Research Centre Warns of Risks in Sales Deregulation. 

 

Doesn't matter the deregulation regulation ,

If the natives and the tourists want to drink and have fun they will do that no matter what the regulations are .

1 hour ago, J Branche said:

Scrap the 2 pm to 5 pm no sales period.

Don't forget the equally insane starting hour of 11:00 am. Seems whenever I see articles or comments it's only the 2-5 idiotic policy.

Alcohol Research Centre Warns of Risks in Sales Deregulation

 

For chist-sake, Thailand's so-called "deregulation" simply bring them in line with the rest of the Western world where a large percentage of the tourists come from.

Alcohol Research translated:  The Thai Temperance Union 

 

Away, away with rum, by gum!
Rum by gum, rum by gum!
Away, away with rum, by gum!
The song of the Temperance Union!

 

We're coming, we're coming, our brave little band,
On the right side of temperance we do take our stand.
We don't use tobacco because we do think
That the people who use it are likely to drink.

The song of the Temperance Union!

We never eat cookies because they have yeast,
And one little bite turns a man to a beast.
Can you imagine a sadder disgrace
Than a man in the gutter with crumbs on his face?

The song of the Temperance Union!

We never eat fruitcake because it has rum,
And one little slice puts a man on the bum.
Can you imagine a sorrier sight
Than a man eating fruitcake until he gets tight?

The song of the Temperance Union!

We never touch honey, it turns into mead,
And stealing from insects is the worst sort of greed.
Oh, can you imagine a man with the D.T.s
Pursued by a swarm of mad, pink bumblebees?

We never eat peaches because they ferment,
Just a little dent in a peach and it's sent.
Oh, can you imagine a sight more obscene
Than a man getting tipsy on peaches and cream?

 

Away, away with rum, by gum!
Rum by gum, rum by gum!
Away, away with rum, by gum!
The song of the Temperance Union!

"Dr Polathep said evidence from a 2023 ministerial regulation that extended operating hours in five zoning areas, Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui, showed significant negative outcomes. The study found that road accidents and injuries rose by 12%, and road fatalities increased by 13%. Drink-driving incidents more than doubled, up 115% compared to the previous year. In major tourism provinces, including Bangkok, Phuket and Chon Buri, the fatality rate jumped by 22% during the extended hours period."

 

So from his research, ban alcohol! If they can't live with the outcome and decide that the cash from sales isn't worth it (Tell that to Thai Beverage and CP and see how far you get) then ban the booze!

 

Obviously this will have an absolutely devastating effect, we will have to suffer and sit through more and more useless endless reports regarding the decrease of 1% here 0.5% there, with the relentless publishing of totally worthless garbage by TAT regarding tourist numbers.

 

They are already alienating thousands of tourists with their Draconian rules, why stop now, put the tourist industry to bed and get a real job instead of moaning continuously about foreigners on holiday, pumping millions into this medieval economy. Best put your own house in order first.

 

Ah'll 'ave an 'alf.

 

3 hours ago, J Branche said:

If true then keep the 2 am closure. 

 

Scrap the 2 pm to 5 pm no sales period.

Everyday many tourists visit Thailand and want to pick up something to drink at the grocery store, while they are out and are Denied.  If they want to keep the ban keep it in No Tourist areas.

 

Not governments problem if people can't plan accordingly and get their fun and drink in before 2 am.  

 

Put it to a public vote and watch the 4 am close by denied.

 

Just because people buy alcohol in the afternoon doesn't mean they're consuming it during the afternoon.

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I believe that consumption will stay somewhat the same, only the hours it's available will change.

Most people have a budget for alcohol or only so much time for being at a venue.

Those who wish to stay till 4am will adjust their start time, ie go out later.

Yeah the challenge that people do not think about is time and money.  

 

When they changed the bar hours in Ontario they thought it would mean more money.  It didn't those that partied to closing simply went out later they still did their 3 -4 hours just later.

 

Bars themselves may not be to happy imgine the extra costs it will take to keep NANA PLAZA open.  Then look at the small bars that will hve to pay for utilities and staff.

 

In Bangkok and Pats it is not too bad as most people donot drink and drive.  BUT look to smaller areas yeah it is goingto be  problem. 

 

The other proble that they are not looking at is BTS MRT  many people take these as a way home.  BUT if you are at the bar at 1 you are  at the mercy fo the taxi driver that has a broken meter. 

When the US amended its constitution to ban alcohol (it was the 18th amendment!), alcohol became the drug of choice and went underground. Then they wrote another amendment, the 21st, to allow it again.

 

Now, fentanyl and cocaine are in favor but still the government doesn't know why people want drugs.

 

Prohibition of drugs in every country seems to fail, but the one thing no country does is really understand why drugs become attractive and what would make people not want drugs like alcohol. Falling over and throwing up is not fun. Is it no jobs (rich kids love cocaine)? Is it education?

 

Sweden is notorious for very expensive alcohol, yet their people get very drunk with alcohol brough in from Denmark. Does no one know why people want drugs? Is there no way of making people feel they don't need drugs?

On 10/28/2025 at 5:24 AM, ikke1959 said:

Everybody happy and for those who want to stay up all night, go to 7/11 and buy your beer there

 

In Thailand, alcohol can be sold from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to midnight, according to a law effective from November 8, 2025. - But, yeah, the best parties are the ones you plan well before midnight, stocking up on beer... (Make sure, you have a big fridge and buy a lot of ice, if you want to party, say, till 1 a.m.) 😆 

 

Personally, I've adjusted, now following TAT's advice to 'just see the temples' when in Thailand. 😁 

When will they get off that stupid law, no alcohol between 2 and 5 

On 10/27/2025 at 10:54 PM, ikke1959 said:

and for those who want to stay up all night, go to 7/11 and buy your beer there

 

Fact is, you cant.