On 11/16/2025 at 8:13 AM, JoePai said:

From that photo it looks like Chuwit Chantaros could do with a drink himself   😎

Doubt his Mummy would approve 

8 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

that is why I said similar. Similar can be a long way off from identical and in many ways.  Christ.  Why are so many people here nitpickers?

not a nitpicker, my point was. There have been no changes to the law, but you totally ignored that.

 

also, Similar definition means to have a resemblance in appearance or in nature. 

One is no alcohol at all and the other is limited times.  Not similar at all, limited time is not the same as nothing at all.  

 

go to jail for 3 months or no jail, not similar to different things.

 

On 11/15/2025 at 7:08 PM, daveAustin said:

I get that. Personally not bothered about extended hours but the 2-5 thing is silly and has to go. 

It’s their country and their values should be respected. Even if you personally don’t find them 100% logical or to your liking.

 

You know, like you are always lecturing immigrants in your own country.

Alcohol abuse is uncontrollable in many countries (Russia comes to mind) and efforts have been made to control that abuse (Sweden for instance, where alcohol is very expensive). However, bar owners should stop serving anyone who can hardly stand.

Having weird drinking hours in a tourist centre like Bangkok or Pattaya doesn't make sense for tourists. As it isn't well known abroad, not being able to get a drink at 3pm is not going to faze everyone who comes to enjoy the country and its culture. 

Perhaps raising the drinking age to 21 would really annoy people who are allowed to drink at 18 back home. After all, if you're Thai and allowed to join the military and get your leg blown off at the Cambodian border at 18, then you should be able to have a beer.

On 11/15/2025 at 3:36 PM, ukrules said:

 

You need to go to the US for that level or stupidity

 

And maybe you should give some rational behind your wisdom?

 

On 11/16/2025 at 8:35 AM, Hummin said:

To this day I have never heard one local complain about the alcohol law in Thailand, only foreigners, and those  in the bar and restaurant business. 

 

Thais do not care

 

How about respecting the country you visit, it is just some few hours, 

 

How many Thai's have you asked about this? Locals always know where to buy a drink, tourists may not.

 

The few hours is a crazy law, especially if you look at the amount of factories and shift work people are working. 2pm could be end of shift time and they are banned from drinking a beer on the way home.

10 minutes ago, chrissables said:

How many Thai's have you asked about this? Locals always know where to buy a drink, tourists may not.

 

The few hours is a crazy law, especially if you look at the amount of factories and shift work people are working. 2pm could be end of shift time and they are banned from drinking a beer on the way home.

You have to understand where Im at in the part of Isaan, the farmers, starts their day with a shot of lao Kao 6 in the morning at their corner shop before they go with their tac tacs out to their fields. Nobody cares out here, and as you say, every local knows where to get if they need or want. Same for tourists, there is ways around it, no matter what, but just as anyone else, I do get the no can not answer when I would like to have one glass of wine or a bottle of beer to my lunch, as I did at the new shopping mall at Dusit Central Parks two day ago. Anyway, should that ruin my stay in Thailand ? I could have gone to another restaurant where I knew I would get what I wanted, but guess what It didn’t ruin my day. 

 

Long time ago I stopped being offended by the thai stupidity, and I can choose to not come here, and go elsewhere. My choice even I have a thai wife, which I knew how Thailand works when I married. My choice 

 

do you think it will be easier when Thailand implement Chinese regulations and control of people? The future doesnt look to good for westerns in Thailand if you ask me. There is another things to worry about than stupid alchohol regulations. 

Interesting to see Western immigrants to Thailand complaining about the alcohol laws in a country where alcohol, drugs and medical abuse are rampant and there is not to avoid  wondering what part of the social ladder they come from and the drinking culture of their home country.

In most of  the Western world with constant progress and access to knowledge, I had the impression that the time when people had a drink as soon as they could was over, and that complaining about the lack of access to alcohol was seen as a bit backward and so far I think we actually are, but it is clear that some elements of society change their attitude as soon as they are in a developing country, Sad.

Felt

32 minutes ago, chrissables said:

How many Thai's have you asked about this? Locals always know where to buy a drink, tourists may not.

 

The few hours is a crazy law, especially if you look at the amount of factories and shift work people are working. 2pm could be end of shift time and they are banned from drinking a beer on the way home.

Very few Thais (men) drink at the same bars as falang men. They drink at home and get drunk, then go to clubs

Always complaining.