Picture courtesy of Straitstimes

 

Drinkers face hefty fines from 8 November under new amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which strengthen restrictions on alcohol sales and consumption during prohibited hours. Individuals caught drinking or being served alcohol between 2pm and 5pm, or from midnight to 11am, could face penalties of 10,000 baht or more. The tightened rules also extend to advertising, with bans on promotional content featuring celebrities, influencers or public figures.

 

The law, first enacted in 1972 to restrict alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm at most retail outlets and supermarkets, has now been updated to shift responsibility from sellers to consumers. Although licensed entertainment venues, hotels, certified tourist establishments and international airports are exempt, customers themselves are now liable for violations. Authorities say the move is aimed at curbing excessive drinking and promoting public order, though critics argue it will damage the hospitality sector.

 

Restaurant owners have voiced concerns that the legislation will harm their businesses. Thai Restaurant Association president Mr Chanon Koetcharoen said the restrictions will impede growth because customers are now directly penalised. He cited an example where a customer who buys a beer before 2pm but continues drinking after the cutoff could be fined under Section 32. “This will impede the growth of the restaurant industry,” said Mr Chanon, who also operates a restaurant in Bangkok.

 

On Bangkok’s Khao San Road, known for its nightlife and backpacker crowd, businesses are continuing to serve alcohol throughout the day, despite the restrictions. One assistant manager, who declined to give his full name, said sales could halve during the banned hours as customers become more cautious. “With the possibility of drinkers themselves being fined, sales of alcohol may halve during those times,” he said.

 

Some observers warn that the stricter rules could open the door to misuse by officials seeking to fine customers or businesses for personal gain. Opposition MP Mr Taopiphop Limjittrakorn of the People’s Party, who advocates for liquor liberalisation, said he believes alcohol should be available 24 hours a day. “The amended law aims to serve the purpose of those opposing alcohol,” he said.

 

As the new rules take effect, enforcement and public awareness are expected to be key factors determining their impact. Industry groups are urging the government to clarify guidelines to prevent arbitrary penalties and reduce confusion among businesses and consumers alike.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thailand now could fine individuals 10,000 baht or more for drinking during prohibited hours.

• New rules shift responsibility from sellers to consumers, tightening advertising limits.

• Restaurant owners and opposition MPs warn the measures could hurt tourism and dining sectors.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Straitstimes 2025-11-09

 

 

 

 

just more confusion, how are customers supposed to know the licencing laws in force for any particular venue especially tourists on a 2 week holiday, this is insane

Why is Thailand always about “How can we suck more money out of these tourists“?

Stupidity is gigantic in Thailand..The country wants tourist but Thailand wants to control everything just as they do with the Thai people.. Tourists don't come to a country that treat people like kids..This law is soo dumb, because you are allowed to drink a beer only from 5pm to 11pm.. No alcohol drinks on the beach when it is hot in the afternoon. Tourists are being chased away.. and not even that.. A few weeks back there was the idea to open the entertainment venue till 4 am.. Why should they do it, as the visitors are not allowed to drink?? Is only only to promote drugs?? Do they really think that people in a bar  going to sit and drinking water after midnight??? The country is looking more and more as dictatorship instead a free country..

he left hand again not knowing what the right hand is doing.

 

Good bye tourists.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Drinkers face hefty fines from 8 November under new amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which strengthen restrictions on alcohol sales and consumption during prohibited hours. Individuals caught drinking or being served alcohol between 2pm and 5pm,

 

So. 10 k fine for buy abox of beer, and drinking at home 2-5 PM?

7 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

So. 10 k fine for buy abox of beer, and drinking at home 2-5 PM?

 

  That's what you concluded from reading the OP?  Astounding.

25 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

That's what you concluded from reading the OP?  Astounding.

That's what I concluded!

10 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

 

  That's what you concluded from reading the OP?  Astounding.

 

10 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

That's what you concluded from reading the OP?  Astounding.

 

That's how I read it..

 

Another dumb idea brought to you by the dumb dumbs in charge. 

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thailand now could fine individuals 10,000 baht or more for drinking during prohibited hours.

This is a genius idea for Thailand. 

 

Have the cops booking all the foreigners drinking beer on the beach, early afternoon (2 to 5pm). 😂

 

The revenue will sky-rocket. 

 

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

certified tourist establishments . . . exempt,

How is a tourist supposed to know whether or not they are having a beer at a certified tourist establishment?

Even more so, WHY SHOULD THEY CARE whether or not they are having a beer at a certified tourist establishment?

This is it.

The final nail in the proverbial coffin for the Land Of Fake Smiles...

 

No coming back from this one.

Utterly ridiculous.

 

Eric.

1 minute ago, Stressed Eric said:

This is it.

The final nail in the proverbial coffin for the Land Of Fake Smiles...

 

No coming back from this one.

Utterly ridiculous.

You tell them Eric. I mean you have lived here for ages but remain a tourist. Who would know better??😅😅😅😅

 

Maybe you should just pack your bags and go........

And then they wonder, why international tourists give Thailand more and more a wide berth, as even some Muslim countries have less strict alcohol sale laws... 😆 

Grow up Thailand.

It's the 21st century. 

 

14 minutes ago, Stressed Eric said:

This is it.

The final nail in the proverbial coffin for the Land Of Fake Smiles...

 

No coming back from this one.

Utterly ridiculous.

 

Eric.

There is a silver lining to everything.

''restrict alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm '' does it make sense to anyone? what is happening between those hours

that alcohol sales are being restricted? Any One?

I'm sure it will be happily enforced by the men in brown, 10k big fast cash........happy high season to all 

Just now, ezzra said:

''restrict alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm '' does it make sense to anyone? what is happening between those hours

that alcohol sales are being restricted? Any One?

Bars included ???

A big issue on AN but to the Thai public maybe not so much.

 

"Approximately 28% of adults in Thailand drank alcohol in 2021, according to a National Institutes of Health study. This figure represents a slight decrease from 2008 when 30% of the adult population consumed alcohol, as reported by Nation Thailand. "

1 hour ago, marin said:

You tell them Eric. I mean you have lived here for ages but remain a tourist. Who would know better??😅😅😅😅

 

Maybe you should just pack your bags and go........

What a comment.. no wonder people leave the country, reading posts like this really makes you feel welcome.. Money is only that counts in Thailand. We have seen how respectful peopke are treated at Miss Universe this week and this comment is in the same line..indeed no tourists shoyld come any more and all expats should leave anf than you can see what will happen with you country..the result og a Thai education

7 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

Bars included ???

One would assume so to be, right? but go figure, from 1972, must have a brainstorm of someone who came up with it,

was there a reason? only that person knows.

Great, another great idea from this childish government (be it left or right wing, all the same). Tourist should just stop coming here so the country falls to the bronze age again.

 

Now just wait until the 2 alcool monopoly companies see a decline in sales and government will reverse as it's those rich that truly govern the country.

 

Sad to see this country will never evolve. Only hope is that educated youngs see the light but as most are brainwashed it won't be easy.

23 minutes ago, ezzra said:

32 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

Bars included ???

One would assume so to be, right? but go figure, from 1972, must have a brainstorm of someone who came up with it,

was there a reason? only that person knows.

 

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

licensed entertainment venues, hotels, certified tourist establishments and international airports are exempt,

Read the article.

32 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

Bars included ???

 

I remember when the 2pm > 5pm rule was introduced under Thaksin, soi 6 bars could not open in the afternoon.

Maybe we're back there again

Muttley............DO SOMETHING!!

18 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

 

Read the article.

Maybe you are sitting in an unlicensed entertainment venue at 4pm, have that extra 10k in your wallet.....

3 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

Maybe you are sitting in an unlicensed entertainment venue at 4pm, have that extra 10k in your wallet.....

Maybe you are sucking on an opium pipe making such a post.

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

''restrict alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm '' does it make sense to anyone? what is happening between those hours

that alcohol sales are being restricted? Any One?

 

Apparently, they are worried that kids rush to the stores to buy hard liquor as soon as school is out... (No such silly laws exist in any of Thailand's neighbouring countries and beyond, and in none of the other countries do the underaged queue up for booze, so either Thai kids are very "different", 🍾🥴 or the politicians are... 🥳)