Photo courtesy of Khaosod

 

Thailand's government has decided to relax alcohol restrictions to boost tourism, sparking a mixed response from industry leaders and health officials. The changes, approved by the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee on November 13, will remove the ban on drinking between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and extend on-premise service by one hour past midnight. These new regulations are expected to be implemented within two weeks.

 

This decision follows pressure from business groups and opposition parties, as well as complaints from foreign visitors and local businesses. Tourism and Sports Minister Attakorn Sirilatthayakorn highlighted the negative impact of previous restrictions on tourism sentiment and noted the urgent government meeting spurred by advisories from other countries about Thailand's alcohol policies.

 

The Thai Hotels Association, represented by President Thienprasert Chaipattaranan, views the decision as timely, coinciding with Thailand's peak travel season with an influx of international tourists. He anticipates that the relaxed rules will increase spending during the holidays, although immediate effects on forecasts might not be noticeable. Despite this, Thienprasert warns that the new policy is unlikely to significantly increase long-haul arrivals, as travelers often plan months in advance.

 

However, there are ongoing concerns in the tourism industry about safety and tourist scams. Thienprasert emphasized the need for stricter law enforcement to curb issues like overcharging and taxi misconduct, to maintain tourist confidence without additional costs. Meanwhile, tourism from China and Malaysia remains low due to recent safety incidents and regional tensions.

 

Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, supports the extended alcohol service hours, expecting it to benefit restaurants, pubs, and entertainment venues by attracting high-spending tourists. These tourists, especially from Europe and Australia, often face restrictive closing times, which the new policy aims to address. Ratchaporn also suggests that this change will enhance Thailand's competitiveness with other destinations that have no alcohol sale restrictions.

 

Despite the positive outlook, Ratchaporn acknowledges potential risks such as alcohol-related accidents. He advocates for data collection to monitor impacts and recommends complementary safety measures, including stricter drink-driving checks and improved late-night public transport, reported Khaosod.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand lifts afternoon and midnight alcohol restrictions, set to begin soon.
• Decision aims to boost tourism amid peak season, tackling previous visitor complaints.
• Safety concerns persist, with calls for stronger law enforcement and safety measures.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2025-11-18

 

 

 

Great news about scrapping the ridiculous 2-5 but no mention of changing the equally ridiculous 11 am start and 1 am is to early to shut down in the tourist areas.

This is the second flip-flop in a week, so I'll believe it when it actually gets published/implemented.

That was quick...  It boosted Tourism already ? (according to the headline !)

So does lifting the 2 to 5 ban apply to 711,s Big C etc?

Lived here for 11 years. Spent time in resort areas and live in a rural area. 
Never been unable to buy a drink between 2pm and 5pm in any bar or restaurant. Never been unable to buy a beer after midnight. 
other than being able to now go and buy some beer to take home between 2pm and 5pm in Makro or 7/11 I’m really not sure how this will improve tourism. What am I missing when it comes to Pattaya, Phuket, resort areas etc……

Imagine that! Who would have thought it - just by simply removing the alcohol ban, the tourists are flocking to their doors. Absolutely fantastic that in 24 hours tourism has had such a massive boost. Just think of all those long haul tourists that were already on their way, blissfully unaware that they will form part of Thailand's massive 2pm-5pm tourist number increase, you couln't have made it up could you?

Tourism was instantly boosted? It's a miracle!!!

Do they think everyone coming to Thailand is a raging alcoholic 😳

I'm sure it's the main question everyone booking holidays asks themselves. Will I be able to buy alcohol in the afternoon from a shop 🙄🙈

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

will remove the ban on drinking between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Damn, now I will have to start buying lady drinks between 2 and 5 again.

That 1am curfew will soon  crawl back towards 4am… watch!

18 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

Tourism was instantly boosted? It's a miracle!!!

Literally water into wine!

 

🤣🤣😮☻🚀🤯

Boost Tourism ! Wow there's been millions of tourists just waiting to rush into Thailand but the inability to (offically) buy booze from 2 to 5 ,has stopped them until the law changed  .🤣

1 hour ago, Anthony mellows said:

So does lifting the 2 to 5 ban apply to 711,s Big C etc?

That's the one that needs sorting.

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This decision follows pressure from business groups and opposition parties, as well as complaints from foreign visitors

where exactly did these foreign visitors register their complaints ?   Is there a customer service hotline at the TAT ?  

16 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

That was quick...  It boosted Tourism already ? (according to the headline !)

As the authorities are apparently currently, clamping down on the so called low quality tourists  by stricter enforcement of visa regulations , with maybe further measures on the way,  So I'm unable to workout Just who is going to drink all this additional alcohol ?   

 

16 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

That was quick...  It boosted Tourism already ? (according to the headline !)

 

Yes didn't you know all the potential tourists around the world were holding off from booking their trip to Thailand as they were waiting for the decision on this to be made.

 

Now it had been 'decided' they all booked their tickets yesterday after getting this news,

 

The only thing that tourists are interested in is if they can get boozed up in the afternoon.

 

They are not at all interested in seeing the culture, the temples, the beaches, Thai food etc, they are just after the booze. 😀

 

I had a Thai restaurant in England for 20+ years, I must admit I did not work there, but I did eat there, I was told by tens of thousands of customers who had visited Thailand how lovely Thailand was, not one mentioned the fact they could not get a beer between  2 to 5 pm as they had more interesting things to do with their time.

The Thai government must think foreigners are real alkie piss artists. Oh, wait...

Beware of the risk of a civil war in Bangkok anytime soon now.

The booze cheerleaders might clash with those in public anger over the extended alcohol selling hours (see below). So maybe it makes sense to give this loosening of regulation a trial period of six months and see how things develop 8-)    Happy days are here again, it seems!  
 

 

1 hour ago, ronster said:

Do they think everyone coming to Thailand is a raging alcoholic 😳

I'm sure it's the main question everyone booking holidays asks themselves. Will I be able to buy alcohol in the afternoon from a shop 🙄🙈

No they wouldn't be asking that question as they'd assume they would be able to if they didn't know about the insane law. About time this nonsense was gotten rid of. They may still be in for a surprise though if they go to 711 at half 10 in the morning wanting to buy a beer.

Well done Thailand.

A step in the right direction, good job. 

More please.

54 minutes ago, LittleBear57 said:

That's the one that needs sorting.

What about Buddha Days?  Voting Days?  Will the no alcohol rules for 24 hours still apply?

Just what Thailand needs, more drunks.

No sensible rational government would be flip flopping with these types of commercial decisions when Thailands economy is so tourist dependent and currently in a recession. The current law as it was in June 2025 passed by the Thaksin government was the 2 - 5pm was scrapped in tourist areas for alcohol licensed businesses and Buhdist holidays bar 1 were permitted to sell alcohol. 

The new government considers various options of change and then flip flops to reinstate alcohol laws passed in 1972 and insists fines of up to 10,000 baht for offenders being both sellers & consumers. 

You have to ask yourself what planet this government is from! 

If you throw the country into turmoil over alcohol laws that takes the spot light away from the pending law changes for Cannabis use! 

 

Just great! Still unable to even buy an alcohol-free beer at the store, but can now get drunk at the pub in the early afternoon. And, if you make as much as one step out of the pub, you risk getting fined 10,000 baht... 😆

1 hour ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

I had a Thai restaurant in England for 20+ years, I must admit I did not work there, but I did eat there, I was told by tens of thousands of customers who had visited Thailand how lovely Thailand was, not one mentioned the fact they could not get a beer between  2 to 5 pm as they had more interesting things to do with their time.

 

I  must admit - that living in Thailand the rule can be irritating sometimes... 

 

I still get caught out when 'popping to a Supermarket' and only then remembering that I can't buy a 6 pack of beer with all the other stuff... Its not a show-stopper, but its mildly irritating to have to go back out after 5pm to pick up a few cans of beer.

 

Alternatively - I can order a box of wine and have it delivere or go pick it up at any time.

.. And, I can't buy a 6 pack of beer from Villa Market (i.e. at Sukhumvit 33/1) between 2 and 5pm - but I can buy 12 bottles of wine & bottle of Gin and Bottle of Whisky !!

 

Only a few times have I felt like having a beer with a very late lunch only to find out at 4:45 pm and I'm told I'll have to wait another 15mins - it all gets bit silly.

 

I don't think many people are really bothered by the rule - but they do see it as it being really daft.

 

 

1 hour ago, paul1804 said:

No sensible rational government would be flip flopping with these types of commercial decisions when Thailands economy is so tourist dependent and currently in a recession. The current law as it was in June 2025 passed by the Thaksin government was the 2 - 5pm was scrapped in tourist areas for alcohol licensed businesses and Buhdist holidays bar 1 were permitted to sell alcohol. 

The new government considers various options of change and then flip flops to reinstate alcohol laws passed in 1972 and insists fines of up to 10,000 baht for offenders being both sellers & consumers. 

You have to ask yourself what planet this government is from! 

If you throw the country into turmoil over alcohol laws that takes the spot light away from the pending law changes for Cannabis use! 

 

This government should not be changing anything. They were not chosen by the people, far from it.

And there should soon be another election they are unlikely to win.

This is a 6 month trial period to see the impact the change has on businesses and society.

 

Definitely see the benefit in Tourist areas when out getting your groceries you might want to pick up some beer, wine, etc for later and not have to go back out.  Might be a certain one you like not available at your local 7-11.

 

Hopefully the 6 month trial is successful and it all works out.

Fantastic news, great to be finally able to buy a nice cold beer from the 7/11 in the afternoons.

Another lousy headline.  We have no idea whether lifting the ban 'boosts tourism'.