21 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, there is no restriction on drinking at home!

 

I don't see that specifically mentioned, unless your home is a "certified licenced establishment"...! Where should we apply...? 🤔 

 

Be nice to your neighbours, next get BiB knocking on the door at lunch time... 😜, hilarious Thai lawmakers..., they could exclude private places for clarity, but want to keep their raid options open...! 🙄

16 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

Black and white,,  or in Thailand's logic..  clear as mud

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 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. 

So..   Mr.X is in a local resturant, trying to enjoy a meal and have a beer,   that he ordered at 1:50  does the waitress come over and slap it out of his hand if he picks it up at 2:00:01 ?

here's more accurate information as your example isnt accurate. 

 

🇹🇭 1. “ร้านอาหาร” License (Restaurant License)

License to operate a restaurant or beverage establishment and to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.

• You may serve alcohol between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

• You may not sell bottles/cans for takeaway during that time.

• Alcohol must be consumed on site.

Example:

A licensed café-restaurant serving beer or wine with meals — legal to serve from 11:00 a.m. until midnight (or closing time set by local ordinance).

Exemptions; time restrictions apply to sales from retail outlets like 7 11, lotus, Makro, Big C or Food Outlets that do not have both alcohol license and food license. 

Alcohol Sale Hours in Restaurants Under Review in Thailand

 

 

absolutely ridiculous for a tourism city such as pattaya or the whole country to have such strict limits and possible fines.  Sitting and eating in the afternoon all of a sudden one can not finish their drink?  Maybe the number of places one can drink are very numerous?  Say having a beer at KISS restaurant in the afternoon.  Is that an Ok venue to drink at

On 11/11/2025 at 12:58 AM, Liverpool Lou said:

Gawd...that ridiculous "final nail in the coffin" remark again that has been made for decades.

 

Indeed. Usually by the same people every time 

 

Some people have no shame...

Can anyone answer my question what establishments and areas in Pattaya that people can drink from 2-5pm and after midnight?

 

Examples:

 

Can you buy a beer at 7-11 at 1:55pm or 11:55pm then sit on the beach and drink it after 2pm or after midnight?

 

What about when renting a beach chair and buying it from those people?

 

What about beer bars?  Are there certain zones where those are ok? 

 

What about restaurants?  Again, is that ok in certain entertainment zones like west of 3rd road?  Same boundary they used when they extended bar opening hours?

 

If people like me, who spend a lot of time in Thailand, I can't figure this stuff out, how are short-term tourists expected to?   A cynical expat would think this is a feature, not a bug.  I'm not always in that camp but with this one I'm not so sure.

How can we extract more cash from Tourists because there not coming anymore mmm maybe any thai owned flights can fine passengers on route as they enter thai airspace within the licencing laws that could work a senior Governor stated.

15 hours ago, Dan O said:

here's more accurate information as your example isnt accurate. 

 

🇹🇭 1. “ร้านอาหาร” License (Restaurant License)

License to operate a restaurant or beverage establishment and to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.

• You may serve alcohol between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

• You may not sell bottles/cans for takeaway during that time.

• Alcohol must be consumed on site.

Example:

A licensed café-restaurant serving beer or wine with meals — legal to serve from 11:00 a.m. until midnight (or closing time set by local ordinance).

Exemptions; time restrictions apply to sales from retail outlets like 7 11, lotus, Makro, Big C or Food Outlets that do not have both alcohol license and food license. 

Wife was refused ordering a beer @ both  Fugi  and MK after 2 p.m. ( Bluport)

Baiting post removed

16 hours ago, Dan O said:

here's more accurate information as your example isnt accurate. 

 

🇹🇭 1. “ร้านอาหาร” License (Restaurant License)

License to operate a restaurant or beverage establishment and to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.

• You may serve alcohol between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

• You may not sell bottles/cans for takeaway during that time.

• Alcohol must be consumed on site.

Example:

A licensed café-restaurant serving beer or wine with meals — legal to serve from 11:00 a.m. until midnight (or closing time set by local ordinance).

Exemptions; time restrictions apply to sales from retail outlets like 7 11, lotus, Makro, Big C or Food Outlets that do not have both alcohol license and food license. 

For years, it's not been possible to drink in chain restaurants in shopping malls, such as MK between 2pm and 5pm

 

Surly these would be licensed? Its one reason I never use them, I enjoy a beer with my late lunch.

On 11/9/2025 at 6:46 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

Great music can be even MORE wonderful when not inebriated, or "high"....

And what great music have been created without the influence of alcohol or drugs.. Do pray tell....

What would Jimi Hendrix create without his LSD soaked bandana... Great concerts like Monterey in 1967 or Woodstock would never happen without drugs...

Like they all said at the time, Sex&Drugs&Rock'Roll!

4 hours ago, Seppius said:

For years, it's not been possible to drink in chain restaurants in shopping malls, such as MK between 2pm and 5pm

 

Surly these would be licensed? Its one reason I never use them, I enjoy a beer with my late lunch.

The regs changed nov 8 so we're not talking about issues from years ago

4 hours ago, Seppius said:

For years, it's not been possible to drink in chain restaurants in shopping malls, such as MK between 2pm and 5pm

 

Surly these would be licensed? Its one reason I never use them, I enjoy a beer with my late lunch.

 

  Yeah, if you are an MK customer drinking a beer is the least worst thing about you.

14 hours ago, shdmn said:

Can anyone answer my question what establishments and areas in Pattaya that people can drink from 2-5pm and after midnight?

 

Examples:

 

Can you buy a beer at 7-11 at 1:55pm or 11:55pm then sit on the beach and drink it after 2pm or after midnight?

 

What about when renting a beach chair and buying it from those people?

 

What about beer bars?  Are there certain zones where those are ok? 

 

What about restaurants?  Again, is that ok in certain entertainment zones like west of 3rd road?  Same boundary they used when they extended bar opening hours?

 

If people like me, who spend a lot of time in Thailand, I can't figure this stuff out, how are short-term tourists expected to?   A cynical expat would think this is a feature, not a bug.  I'm not always in that camp but with this one I'm not so sure.

to answer your first question, I can tell you with absolute certainty, that up to now  all the Gentleman's  Clubs were opening about noon and going through until midnight with no restrictions. I do know that the GCs had to close at midnight unlike bars and GoGoS that stayed open later. I know that because I'm friends with 2 of the Maggie May managers and they always pushed customer out on the stroke of 12 (pardon the pun) Apparently the police did come and check up on them from time to time.  Same applied to Soi 6.

 

Also, bars around the Bukhau / Soi "Pothole" area were also serving from 11 AM (ish) until closing time - 2-4AM

 

It's my personal feeling that this won't change and I think that'll become clearer from the "Under Review"  link that @Georgealbert posted above.

On 11/11/2025 at 5:53 PM, Peter Crow said:

Yes, I know some people conceptualise Soi 6 as being SEA. IMO mostly people who suffer from Agoraphobia when they move more than 300 yards away from it.

 

Funnily enough I rarely visit Pattaya and never enter soi 6. 

15 minutes ago, Spock said:

Funnily enough I rarely visit Pattaya and never enter soi 6. 

Funnily enough, you admit lecturing other people on topics you don't know anything about.

 

Anyone who walks down in the afternoon's full daylight Soi 6, would have to think it is sorry sight. At least they shouldn't open before 9:30 pm.

4 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

Funnily enough, you admit lecturing other people on topics you don't know anything about.

 

Anyone who walks down in the afternoon's full daylight Soi 6, would have to think it is sorry sight. At least they shouldn't open before 9:30 pm.

 

Afternoon activities are the raison d'etre for Soi 6!  

33 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Afternoon activities are the raison d'etre for Soi 6!  

Afternoon [grossly illegal] activities are the "raison d'être" for Soi 6!  

37 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

Funnily enough, you admit lecturing other people on topics you don't know anything about.

 

Anyone who walks down in the afternoon's full daylight Soi 6, would have to think it is sorry sight. At least they shouldn't open before 9:30 pm.

 OMG that is almost my nightly bedtime and I would be most upset if a bar opened near me after 9.30pm with loud music and other noise keeping me awake. 

 

Fortunately I live in a quiet rural area with no such noise pollution!

2 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Fortunately I live in a quiet rural area with no such noise pollution!

That's not a problem in Soi 6, as it is only pollution, of various kings.

On 11/9/2025 at 7:47 AM, 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.

Well we have an update on this and as I thought it has now all been repealed. 

 

We will now have alcohol sales during the afternoon. Of course this was going to be the outcome. 

 

BREAKING: Alcohol Board Unlocks Alcohol/Beer Sales from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Awaits 15-Day Public Notice, Hopes to Stimulate Economy During Festivals.

At 2:30 PM on November 13, 2025, at the Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Sophon Sarum spoke after chairing the second meeting of the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee (2/2025).

He stated that many are concerned about the New Year and Songkran tourism festivals. If the law is strictly enforced, it might discourage tourists from visiting Thailand or reduce domestic spending. Therefore, a policy was set to cancel the current ban on alcohol sales from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This ban was originally implemented to prevent civil servants from drinking during the afternoon. "I told them that era is over. Civil servants no longer drink alcohol in the afternoon.

Therefore, it should be revoked," he said.

Regarding the extension of drinking hours, the tourism sector wants it extended until 4:00 AM. However, the Ministry of Public Health and doctors disagree, citing statistics that show a high number of accidents occurring between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM. He tasked the committee to discuss this. As for venues, there is already a Ministry of Interior law governing establishments, which controls when drinking is permitted and when it is not.

Mr. Sophon noted that during the New Year festival, there are Ministry of Public Health regulations promoting alcohol abstinence. He believes promotion is acceptable, but people are celebrating during the festive season. Therefore, any measure that is impractical to implement—the state can promote, but there must be incentives. "You can't just tell people not to drink; it's impossible. But if there are incentives, it's appropriate," he said. "For example, communities with no drinking should receive something."

In conclusion, the extension [of drinking hours] is certain, but the exact time—whether 2:00 AM or 4:00 AM—awaits the committee's final resolution. The 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM ban will be revoked. If the committee makes a resolution, it does not need to go to the Cabinet (Krom.), but can be issued directly as a Prime Minister's Office Announcement. This announcement will require a 15-day public hearing starting from the date of the committee's resolution, and will then take effect immediately.

Whats the problem? You can always get booze in family mart, or some small family run shops anytime you want.

But if your a drunken sex tourist who hangs around those sleazy bars all day every day, it could be  a major reason to holiday in Cambodia instead.

42 minutes ago, Usnh said:

But if your a drunken sex tourist who hangs around those sleazy bars all day every day, it could be  a major reason to holiday in Cambodia instead.

Hey! I resemble that remark!! 😎😁

 

Seriously, as I mentioned above I didn't think this would catch on, but in Thailand, one never knows what level of inanity will suddenly become law.

They do seem to have a philosophy of "If it ain't broke, break it so you can fix it....badly!  Not the only politicians in the world to do so, of course!

 

And from the article above @marin posted I loved the line  ""I told them that era is over. Civil servants no longer drink alcohol in the afternoon."

Really?  😁😉

1 minute ago, VBF said:

Hey! I resemble that remark!! 😎😁

 

Seriously, as I mentioned above I didn't think this would catch on, but in Thailand, one never knows what level of inanity will suddenly become law.

They do seem to have a philosophy of "If it ain't broke, break it so you can fix it....badly!  Not the only politicians in the world to do so, of course!

 

And from the article above @marin posted I loved the line  ""I told them that era is over. Civil servants no longer drink alcohol in the afternoon."

Really?  😁😉

They look out the window 

14 hours ago, marin said:

Well we have an update on this and as I thought it has now all been repealed. 

 

We will now have alcohol sales during the afternoon. Of course this was going to be the outcome. 

 

BREAKING: Alcohol Board Unlocks Alcohol/Beer Sales from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Awaits 15-Day Public Notice, Hopes to Stimulate Economy During Festivals.

At 2:30 PM on November 13, 2025, at the Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Sophon Sarum spoke after chairing the second meeting of the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee (2/2025).

He stated that many are concerned about the New Year and Songkran tourism festivals. If the law is strictly enforced, it might discourage tourists from visiting Thailand or reduce domestic spending. Therefore, a policy was set to cancel the current ban on alcohol sales from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This ban was originally implemented to prevent civil servants from drinking during the afternoon. "I told them that era is over. Civil servants no longer drink alcohol in the afternoon.

Therefore, it should be revoked," he said.

Regarding the extension of drinking hours, the tourism sector wants it extended until 4:00 AM. However, the Ministry of Public Health and doctors disagree, citing statistics that show a high number of accidents occurring between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM. He tasked the committee to discuss this. As for venues, there is already a Ministry of Interior law governing establishments, which controls when drinking is permitted and when it is not.

Mr. Sophon noted that during the New Year festival, there are Ministry of Public Health regulations promoting alcohol abstinence. He believes promotion is acceptable, but people are celebrating during the festive season. Therefore, any measure that is impractical to implement—the state can promote, but there must be incentives. "You can't just tell people not to drink; it's impossible. But if there are incentives, it's appropriate," he said. "For example, communities with no drinking should receive something."

In conclusion, the extension [of drinking hours] is certain, but the exact time—whether 2:00 AM or 4:00 AM—awaits the committee's final resolution. The 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM ban will be revoked. If the committee makes a resolution, it does not need to go to the Cabinet (Krom.), but can be issued directly as a Prime Minister's Office Announcement. This announcement will require a 15-day public hearing starting from the date of the committee's resolution, and will then take effect immediately.

....I will believe it when I see it.

 

Anyone able to buy a beer at their local 7/11 yet at 14:01 ??

 

Eric.

On 11/8/2025 at 5:42 PM, gargamon said:

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

Because we all are RICH??

On 11/11/2025 at 11:29 AM, AhFarangJa said:

250 Baht for riding with pillion rests down when no passenger on the bike.

 

Wow that's a new one on me. Yes, they are very creative.

48 minutes ago, Stressed Eric said:

..I will believe it when I see it.

 

Anyone able to buy a beer at their local 7/11 yet at 14:01 ??

 

Here is your problem, you are so focused on negativity you forget to read.  Let me help you. 

 

15 hours ago, marin said:

In conclusion, the extension [of drinking hours] is certain, but the exact time—whether 2:00 AM or 4:00 AM—awaits the committee's final resolution. The 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM ban will be revoked. If the committee makes a resolution, it does not need to go to the Cabinet (Krom.), but can be issued directly as a Prime Minister's Office Announcement. This announcement will require a 15-day public hearing starting from the date of the committee's resolution, and will then take effect immediately.

In conclusion means its the end of the article. It contains pertinent information.  

Just now, marin said:

Here is your problem, you are so focused on negativity you forget to read.  Let me help you. 

 

In conclusion means its the end of the article. It contains pertinent information.  

Seen it, read it already, but thanks.

 

That should instead read 'A 15 day window for us to flip flop on this once again...'

 

Eric.