Hi. I'm looking for a roundup of the legal drinking hours in Thailand, particularly which are the 'special' zones and what rules apply.

I'm aware of the difference between official and unofficial practice, but not clear on the current official times in places like Pattaya.

Anybody know? Thanks

I live in Bang Na and the night club around the corner - Mem Zeeds - is open until 6 AM.

I cannot recall the current legal closing time for Bangkok and Pattaya but vaguely recall it is around 01 or 02 am. Most, if not all, gogo bars stick to this as do the Irish style "pubs" but I might be wrong there in some instances. Beer bars in Pattaya, in the main, close down around that time but some of them just dim the lights, turn the music down/off and carry on serving.

I don't know if there is a standard closing time covering all of Thailand, it's not like there is a pub/bar culture like in Europe and the USA. Basically if you want a beer anytime you like you can get one at a mom'n'pop store or a 7-11 but not between 2 and 5 pm . It really depends if you just want to sit and drink or if you want entertainment as well. Personally I'm just about ready for my pit once past the witching hour so closing times hardly ever impact on me.

For the main tourist type areas it's as Phil says, 1am - 2am. Just around the corner off the beaten track things will more than likely be longer hours, just keep the noise / volume down. Outside of town, like where I live, a normal bar type venue will keep going as long as you do.

depends on the size of the back hander youre giving out

Even places that tend to stay open later than the norm every night are randomly informed to close by the police every now and then on time, maybe envelope a little short ? 1-2am seems a good benchmark

In Soi 7, Pattaya, the music and lights used to go off a t 1am (3 months ago).

In the north (in the vicinity of where I lve), it's when the profits from staying open don't cover the costs of staying open.

Owen.