Adam Judd of the Pattaya News has expressed his opinion. Feel free to express yours too.
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Opinion: It’s Time to Lift the Afternoon Alcohol Sales Ban in Thailand
By Adam Judd
5 February, 2024
It’s been in place for over fifty years but many people agree that it is time to lift the much criticized afternoon alcohol sales ban from 2-5 PM every day in Thailand.
This isn’t a position from TPN media but rather a building opinion from the entire tourism and business sector pressing for the Thai government to lift the rule, as we reported here.
In fact, the rule isn’t even part of the Alcohol Beverage Control Act but was rather an independent order from a coup leader over fifty years ago, with people arguing to this day about why the rule took effect.
Some even claim it was to prevent government officials to stop drinking alcohol in the afternoons or to leave the office early to go drinking.
Regardless of the reason, the pressure is now on the Thai government to lift the archaic rule which often confuses tourists, especially at shopping malls, name brand convenience stores, and high-end restaurants.
Yes, it is certainly true that smaller mom and pop shops and small venues ignore the rule and have done so for ages. But many places do not and the opponents of the law argue this hurts tourism, especially when tourists are denied an alcoholic beverage with their meal in the afternoon.
Certainly, the law does have some supporters, most claiming that it helps prevent people getting drunk while schools let out during the 2PM to 5PM time.
However, opponents point out that someone could drink as much as they wish until 2PM and then get on the road or simply purchase alcohol before 2PM and drink it during the forbidden period.
Regardless of one’s thoughts about the rule, a major meeting between the Department of Public Health and the Thai Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee will take place to discuss possibly lifting the afternoon ban. This meeting will take place on February 15th but even if they decide to lift the ban it will need approval from various other sectors, likely including the Prime Minister.
Signs are pointing, however, to the government agreeing that the afternoon ban is archaic and a problem for tourism and it is looking increasingly likely that it will be lifted by Songkran of this year. Of course, that’s not a guarantee, nothing is ever written in stone, but all signs are pointing to this law likely going the way of the dinosaur.
Songkran is seen as a major target to lift the ban as there were reports last year of police in some areas shutting down alcohol sales during the busiest Thai New Year festival water play days, leading to many upset locals and tourists.
https://thepattayanews.com/2024/02/05/o ... -thailand/
Opinion piece: Get rid of afternoon alcohol ban
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Re: Opinion piece: Get rid of afternoon alcohol ban
Bid to lift afternoon alcohol sales ban rejected
Government panel cites health and safety concerns but final say will rest with national committee next week
by Apinya Wipatayotin
February 15, 2024
A government panel has rejected a proposal to scrap the long-standing ban on sales of alcoholic beverages between 2pm and 5pm, citing the risk to public health and safety.
The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association had requested the change, saying it would be consistent with the government’s plan to promote tourism.
The cabinet forwarded the proposal to the alcoholic beverage control committee at the Ministry of Public Health, which held a wide-ranging discussion on Thursday, said Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, chief of the Department of Disease Control, who is also the committee secretary.
All participants — including representatives from the ministries of Public Health, Tourism, Interior, Finance, and Social Development and Human Security — and other experts were unanimous that the afternoon sales ban should stay in place, he said.
The committee’s resolution will be forwarded to the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee, which will have the final say when it meets on Monday, said Dr Thongchai.
“If it agrees (to extend sales hours), it needs to amend the related laws,” he said. “However, the ministry has affirmed its stance to protect people’s health.”
The afternoon ban is not covered in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, but was contained in an announcement put in place by a coup maker in 1972, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew explained earlier.
Dr Thongchai said his committee seriously discussed the pros and cons of extending selling hours for liquor, wine and beer, but participants expressed concern about a possible increase in alcohol-related accidents.
Over the recent New Year holiday period, he noted, about 3,000 road accidents, or 25% of the total, were caused by alcohol consumption.
Preliminary evidence also indicates a rise in social impacts and alcohol-related criminal activity since authorities agreed to extend hours for serving alcohol in selected locations to spur tourism, said Dr Thongchai.
A pilot project approved by the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee allows pubs and restaurants to stay open until 4am in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Bangkok and Koh Samui. It took effect on Dec 15. The committee has said that more locales could be added if the initial phase proves successful.
“We have seen a trend of an increasing number of accidents and other related social impacts from the policy,” said Dr Thongchai. “But we have not seen the result of the economic impact, which might require another four months to see the picture.”
A civil society network opposed to alcohol consumption gathered on Thursday at the ministry to express its stance against extended alcohol sales. Its members said the social and health impacts would be severe, especially loses from road accidents caused by drunk drivers.
The activists plan to closely monitor the final decision made by the national committee, said Theerapat Kahawong, coordinator of the Network for Prevention and Impact Reduction from Alcoholic Beverages.
“We might gather again during the meeting next week at Government House because we are afraid that there might be some attempt made by an alcoholic beverage company to boost its business. If so, we will ask for the justice from the courts,” he said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... n-rejected
Government panel cites health and safety concerns but final say will rest with national committee next week
by Apinya Wipatayotin
February 15, 2024
A government panel has rejected a proposal to scrap the long-standing ban on sales of alcoholic beverages between 2pm and 5pm, citing the risk to public health and safety.
The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association had requested the change, saying it would be consistent with the government’s plan to promote tourism.
The cabinet forwarded the proposal to the alcoholic beverage control committee at the Ministry of Public Health, which held a wide-ranging discussion on Thursday, said Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, chief of the Department of Disease Control, who is also the committee secretary.
All participants — including representatives from the ministries of Public Health, Tourism, Interior, Finance, and Social Development and Human Security — and other experts were unanimous that the afternoon sales ban should stay in place, he said.
The committee’s resolution will be forwarded to the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee, which will have the final say when it meets on Monday, said Dr Thongchai.
“If it agrees (to extend sales hours), it needs to amend the related laws,” he said. “However, the ministry has affirmed its stance to protect people’s health.”
The afternoon ban is not covered in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, but was contained in an announcement put in place by a coup maker in 1972, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew explained earlier.
Dr Thongchai said his committee seriously discussed the pros and cons of extending selling hours for liquor, wine and beer, but participants expressed concern about a possible increase in alcohol-related accidents.
Over the recent New Year holiday period, he noted, about 3,000 road accidents, or 25% of the total, were caused by alcohol consumption.
Preliminary evidence also indicates a rise in social impacts and alcohol-related criminal activity since authorities agreed to extend hours for serving alcohol in selected locations to spur tourism, said Dr Thongchai.
A pilot project approved by the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee allows pubs and restaurants to stay open until 4am in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Bangkok and Koh Samui. It took effect on Dec 15. The committee has said that more locales could be added if the initial phase proves successful.
“We have seen a trend of an increasing number of accidents and other related social impacts from the policy,” said Dr Thongchai. “But we have not seen the result of the economic impact, which might require another four months to see the picture.”
A civil society network opposed to alcohol consumption gathered on Thursday at the ministry to express its stance against extended alcohol sales. Its members said the social and health impacts would be severe, especially loses from road accidents caused by drunk drivers.
The activists plan to closely monitor the final decision made by the national committee, said Theerapat Kahawong, coordinator of the Network for Prevention and Impact Reduction from Alcoholic Beverages.
“We might gather again during the meeting next week at Government House because we are afraid that there might be some attempt made by an alcoholic beverage company to boost its business. If so, we will ask for the justice from the courts,” he said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... n-rejected