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The Department of Disease Control (DDC) in Thailand has issued fresh guidelines requiring vendors to check for intoxication before serving alcohol. These guidelines follow the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 (2008), updated in 2015, which bans alcohol sales to drunk individuals. Despite the law's effective date of November 8, 2025, the official symptoms of intoxication remain undefined ahead of the New Year 2026 festivities.

Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat chaired the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee meeting and tasked the DDC with creating temporary guidelines. These guidelines, informed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists of Thailand, will form the basis of the official regulations. They emphasised identifying specific signs of intoxication and applying simple physical tests.

Criteria for Intoxication Include:

• Loss of Motor Control: Difficulty standing, staggering.

• Odour of Alcohol: Paired with physical signs like bloodshot eyes or involuntary movements.

• Speech and Behaviour: Slurred speech, emotional instability, aggression.

Methods of Assessment:

• Finger-to-Nose Test: Individuals attempt to touch their nose with their eyes closed. Missing or visible tremors suggest intoxication.

• Heel-to-Toe Walking Test: Walking ten steps in a straight line; swaying indicates intoxication.

• One-Leg Stand Test: Standing with one leg raised; losing balance suggests intoxication.

Experts indicate these guidelines are crucial for public safety. Vendors are advised to follow them to avoid legal issues and enhance community welfare. The Nation reports that the official adoption of these measures is imminent, prompting vendors to prepare for their thorough implementation.

Looking ahead, the DDC plans to introduce formal regulations aligning with these interim guidelines. Vendors are encouraged to stay informed and ready to integrate these practices, ensuring safer environments during alcohol sales.

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Key Takeaways

• Thailand introduces interim guidelines to identify intoxicated customers.

• Guidelines focus on symptoms and physical tests for vendors.

• Official regulations are expected to follow, promoting safer alcohol sales.

Related story

New Thai Law Bans Alcohol Sales to Intoxicated Customers

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2026-01-03

 

 

Methods of Assessment:

• Finger-to-Nose Test: Individuals attempt to touch their nose with their eyes closed. Missing or visible tremors suggest intoxication.

• Heel-to-Toe Walking Test: Walking ten steps in a straight line; swaying indicates intoxication.

• One-Leg Stand Test: Standing with one leg raised; losing balance suggests intoxication.

I'd fail that test on a good day after not drinking for a week.

I thought only USA does the ridiculous "field sobriety test".

In Oz you don't require probable cause.

Tests for alcohol are referred to as Random Breath Test.

Almost every traffic stop involves one.

For sale of alcohol in eg bars management are required by law not to sell alcohol to clearly intoxicated people.

51 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I thought only USA does the ridiculous "field sobriety test".

In the US field sobriety tests are captured on video and used as an additional tool in court.

25 minutes ago, novacova said:

In the US field sobriety tests are captured on video and used as an additional tool in court.

Waste of time.

In Oz even a motor bike cop can randomly pull you over for license check that will most likely also involve alcohol/drug test.

On the spot.

Refuse and it's automatic 12 month license cancellation.

Possibly after that interlock device on car.

No probable cause nonsense.

Despite the law's effective date of November 8, 2025, the official symptoms of intoxication remain undefined ahead of the New Year 2026 festivities.

Clueless.

"Standing on one leg"

Older folks don't have to be drunk to fail this one.

9 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Methods of Assessment:

• Finger-to-Nose Test: Individuals attempt to touch their nose with their eyes closed. Missing or visible tremors suggest intoxication.

• Heel-to-Toe Walking Test: Walking ten steps in a straight line; swaying indicates intoxication.

• One-Leg Stand Test: Standing with one leg raised; losing balance suggests intoxication.

I'd fail that test on a good day after not drinking for a week.

I’d fail heel-toe and one leg stand after not drinking since September. Pre-Gouty ankles, knee replacement placement, other knee with metal plate, and regular inner-ear vertigo balance issues.

I can do the fingertip nose ok.

1 out of 3 won’t cut it…

Can you imagine the girls in the Tops liquor section or in any go-go testing anybody in such a way!?

On 1/2/2026 at 6:21 PM, DrJack54 said:

I thought only USA does the ridiculous "field sobriety test".

In Oz you don't require probable cause.

Tests for alcohol are referred to as Random Breath Test.

Almost every traffic stop involves one.

For sale of alcohol in eg bars management are required by law not to sell alcohol to clearly intoxicated people.

But in Oz I thought everyone in the bar was wasted. How do the bartenders serve anyone? Probably should move to self serve tap on the wall.

3 hours ago, TexasCowboy said:

But in Oz I thought everyone in the bar was wasted

Typical USA nonsense comment.

On 1/3/2026 at 6:42 AM, Gsxrnz said:

Methods of Assessment:

• Finger-to-Nose Test: Individuals attempt to touch their nose with their eyes closed. Missing or visible tremors suggest intoxication.

• Heel-to-Toe Walking Test: Walking ten steps in a straight line; swaying indicates intoxication.

• One-Leg Stand Test: Standing with one leg raised; losing balance suggests intoxication.

I'd fail that test on a good day after not drinking for a week.

Same,

Just now, kiwikeith said:

Same,

On 1/4/2026 at 5:42 PM, Peabody said:

Can you imagine the girls in the Tops liquor section or in any go-go testing anybody in such a way!?

There is no requirement to do in a shop. The idea is not to serve an intoxicated person on the spot. Buying alcohol at a shop doesn't mean you're about to drink it.