The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee has approved in principle a proposal to allow 24-hour sales of beer and liquor in the Eastern Aviation City promotion zone, with a public hearing and royal decree required before implementation. The process is expected to be completed by no later than May 2026. The move is aimed at supporting economic activity in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

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The approval was made during the committee’s second meeting of 2026 on Friday, April 17, chaired by Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat. Dr Montien Kanasawat, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the committee also approved a draft announcement on prohibited alcohol sales days. Under the draft, major Buddhist holy days will remain no-sale days, but the legal authority will shift from a Prime Minister’s Office announcement to one issued by the committee.

The proposal to relax alcohol sales hours was submitted by a representative of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee. It would allow licensed operators in the Eastern Aviation City area to sell alcohol around the clock in two categories of venues: event or exhibition areas, and restaurants that comply fully with relevant laws and regulations. The measure is intended to enhance the area’s appeal for tourism, events and international business.

Montien said the policy is expected to help stimulate the economy, although he noted that detailed supporting data should be provided by the EEC authorities. The committee also reviewed an assessment of alcohol sales during the 2pm to 5pm period, instructing the Department of Disease Control to gather further data. Initial findings covering December 2025 to March 2026, compared with the same period a year earlier, showed no increase in overall traffic accidents.

Data also indicated no rise in accidents during the 2pm to midnight period, previously considered the most likely window for increased risk. The total number of traffic accidents remained unchanged over the review period. These findings were presented as part of ongoing monitoring of alcohol policy impacts.

The Nation reported that the next step will be a public consultation on the proposed changes. If approved, the measure will be enacted through a royal decree, following a legal process requiring 30 days plus a further 30 days in line with Council of State requirements. Authorities expect the full process to conclude by May 2026.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 18 Apr 2026

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Thought this project was dead in the water.

No one cares.....

Now that the stupid stupid afternoon sales ban is gone I have heard no complaints about the current alcohol sales hours...

Could it be the The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee is "under the influence" of the alcoholic beverage industry?

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

No one cares.....

Now that the stupid stupid afternoon sales ban is gone I have heard no complaints about the current alcohol sales hours...

There is a handful on this forum that like to have a whinge about not being able to buy a bottle of wine before 11am.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

supporting economic activity in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

aka Supporting an economic zone created by the military junta.

"The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee has approved in principle a proposal to allow 24-hour sales of beer and liquor in the Eastern Aviation City promotion zone"
Where is this Eastern Aviation City promotion zone?

56 minutes ago, stevenl said:

"The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee has approved in principle a proposal to allow 24-hour sales of beer and liquor in the Eastern Aviation City promotion zone"
Where is this Eastern Aviation City promotion zone?

• It is located in Rayong Province, specifically in the Phala Subdistrict, Ban Chang District (also spelled Baan Chang).

• The zone surrounds U-Tapao International Airport (Thailand’s third major international airport).

• It covers approximately 6,500–7,200 rai (about 1,040–1,150 hectares or 2,570+ acres) and is part of the larger Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which spans the three eastern provinces: Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao.

May as well join in with the temples.🙃🙃

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

"The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee has approved in principle a proposal to allow 24-hour sales of beer and liquor in the Eastern Aviation City promotion zone"
Where is this Eastern Aviation City promotion zone?

6 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

1. The zone surrounds U-Tapao International Airport (Thailand’s third major international airport).

Thailand's third major intl airport? I don't know a single person who's ever been there. So basically this is about nothing.

46 minutes ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Thailand's third major intl airport? I don't know a single person who's ever been there. So basically this is about nothing.

555 I was there in 1969

7 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Thailand’s third major international airport

Thanks very much. I don't think this part of your post is correct though.

16 hours ago, stevenl said:

Thanks very much. I don't think this part of your post is correct though.

Your welcome.

U-Tapao is planned to become the official third international airport, relieving pressure on Bangkok’s airports and supporting tourism and business in the eastern region (Pattaya, Rayong, Chonburi).

Right now in 2026, it is still a minor airport with limited flights, but construction has finally started on its transformation into a proper third major airport.

17 hours ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Thailand's third major intl airport? I don't know a single person who's ever been there. So basically this is about nothing.

Ive flown in and out atleast 30 times much more convienent than Swampy when i want to go to Samui for the weekend.

On 4/19/2026 at 6:25 AM, mikeymike100 said:

Right now in 2026, it is still a minor airport with limited flights, but construction has finally started on its transformation into a proper third major airport.

I'm impressed they actually started construction on something. 🤣

Seriously though - the second runway will increase capacity, but technically speaking why are there not more international destinations already? the current runway is capable. Is it just lack of demand from destinations other than Russia?

On 4/19/2026 at 6:30 AM, Ralf001 said:

Ive flown in and out atleast 30 times much more convienent than Swampy when i want to go to Samui for the weekend.

Really? where from/to?

21 minutes ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

?

Really? where from/to?

Errrrrr.....

U-Tapao to Samui.

Samui to U-Tapao.

Bangkok Airways.

It would be nice to be able to buy a bottle of wine at any time when shipping at the supermarket.

On 4/21/2026 at 10:32 AM, Ralf001 said:

U-Tapao to Samui.

Samui to U-Tapao.

Ahh.. domestic then.

On 4/22/2026 at 11:41 AM, dorayme said:

It would be nice to be able to buy a bottle of wine at any time when shipping at the supermarket.

Really weird that you can't. What exactly is going through their minds? Somebody is going to drink and drive because they got a wine bottle at 1am and not before midnight, or an office worker is gonna get drunk on their lunch break? it's ridiculous because someone who wants to drink WILL drink no matter when they bought it.

1 hour ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

or an office worker is gonna get drunk on their lunch break? it's ridiculous because someone who wants to drink WILL drink no matter when they bought it.

I would assume the office worker's lunch is after 11am typically... so can get on the cans !

41 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

I would assume the office worker's lunch is after 11am typically... so can get on the cans !

I was referring to the 2-5pm ban (which I think was repealed recently?), but you're right - it's not lunch. Maybe it was something about the kids getting out of school at those hours? I don't remember the exact reason but the reason doesn't matter - it's a stupid ban.

25 minutes ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

I was referring to the 2-5pm ban (which I think was repealed recently?), but you're right - it's not lunch. Maybe it was something about the kids getting out of school at those hours? I don't remember the exact reason but the reason doesn't matter - it's a stupid ban.

2 to 5 is gone.... for now.