Apparently this applies to restaurants, but not to bars.
I wonder if you can order a glass of Chablis with your Big Mac. Perhaps KFC will establish corkage charges . . .
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Thailand's Afternoon Booze Ban Lifted: Restaurants Rejoice
September 11, 2025
Thailand has officially lifted its ban on selling alcohol in restaurants from 2 PM to 5 PM, a decision set to increase sales by 25%. The restaurant industry is celebrating, with hopes that this move will stimulate both the economy and tourism. Appreciation has been extended to the Thai government for this forward-thinking change, which includes both ruling and opposition parties.
Sorathep Rojpojchanarat, the chair of the Restaurant Business Association and honorary advisor to the Thailand Hostel Association, conveyed his gratitude to the government. The decision comes after years of advocacy by the association, which called for an update to the antiquated 1972 law that restricted alcohol sales during these hours. Sorathep noted this change is crucial for a country that ranks as one of the world’s top tourist destinations, enhancing its appeal and aligning legal standards with current international norms.
The association has been vocal about concerns that the ban is negatively affecting businesses and pushing tourists to avoid restaurants during the banned hours. Many visitors prefer to enjoy a drink with their meal, and the ban had led to a significant loss of potential business. Restaurants experienced a noticeable lull in activity between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., missing out on revenue as tourists postponed their visits until the evening.
Addressing the concerns surrounding youths' exposure to alcohol, Sorathep assured that the regulations apply specifically to restaurants. Existing laws, such as the legal drinking age of 20 and stringent drink-driving laws, continue to protect young people. The focus remains on cultivating a culture of awareness and responsibility, similar to successful campaigns in other areas, like road safety and environmental cleanliness.
Lifting this restriction is expected to revitalise the restaurant industry, which is a significant component of Thailand's economy. By allowing alcohol sales throughout the afternoon, restaurants can offer their guests a more welcoming and complete experience, enhancing Thailand's image as a tourist-friendly destination. This move is poised to create a ripple effect, boosting not just the restaurant business but also related industries, thereby contributing to broader economic growth.
Tourists visiting Thailand often look for experiences that allow them to relax and enjoy local cuisine paired with drinks. By aligning with these expectations, Thailand strengthens its competitive edge in the global tourism market. The change will help mitigate previous frustrations among foreign visitors and provide a more consistent legislative framework.
Moving forward, this decision could set a precedent for further adjustments that align Thai regulations with international standards, promoting a more adaptable and inclusive environment for growth. The government and industry stakeholders are now keenly observing how this shift impacts sales and visitor satisfaction, which might drive additional reforms in other sectors.
Key Takeaways
* Afternoon alcohol ban lifted, anticipating a 25% sales boost.
* Move aligns with modern tourism demands and international standards.
* Existing laws maintain youth protection, focusing on responsible drinking culture.
https://aseannow.com/topic/1372771-thai ... s-rejoice/
Now you can drink between 2pm-5pm - at restaurants
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Gaybutton
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Re: Now you can drink between 2pm-5pm - at restaurants
Whatever the law says, there are still whole streets full of bars open from about 1~2:00 pm in Pattaya. Just not the gay bars. Which is fine by me.
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Gaybutton
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Re: Now you can drink between 2pm-5pm - at restaurants
I guess they're not happy unless they make nearly all new rules confusing, including this one. According to my read of this article, now I'm not sure whether bars can or cannot sell alcohol between 2pm-5pm after all.
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Afternoon ban on alcohol sales in Thailand still enforced
September 12, 2025
Thailand's Disease Control Department on Friday clarified that the three-hour daily ban on alcohol sales remains in force, dispelling confusion among vendors over a recent legal change.
The department stressed that all shops are still prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks between 2pm and 5pm, except in designated venues such as international airports, hotels and licensed service establishments like bars.
The clarification followed widespread social media claims — celebrated by shop owners and drinkers alike — that the sales ban had been lifted after the Revolutionary Council’s 1972 directive was scrapped on Wednesday. That directive, known as Order No.253, had prohibited sales during the same hours.
Department director-general Suthas Chottanapan explained that the order’s abolishment was only a procedural step, as its provisions are already covered by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which still upholds the restriction. The act was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday and will take effect in early November, according to state broadcaster NBT.
People’s Party MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a campaigner against the alcohol industry monopoly, cautioned on Facebook that he did not want vendors to face prosecution over the misunderstanding.
Violators face penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of 100,000 baht, or both.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... l-enforced
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Afternoon ban on alcohol sales in Thailand still enforced
September 12, 2025
Thailand's Disease Control Department on Friday clarified that the three-hour daily ban on alcohol sales remains in force, dispelling confusion among vendors over a recent legal change.
The department stressed that all shops are still prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks between 2pm and 5pm, except in designated venues such as international airports, hotels and licensed service establishments like bars.
The clarification followed widespread social media claims — celebrated by shop owners and drinkers alike — that the sales ban had been lifted after the Revolutionary Council’s 1972 directive was scrapped on Wednesday. That directive, known as Order No.253, had prohibited sales during the same hours.
Department director-general Suthas Chottanapan explained that the order’s abolishment was only a procedural step, as its provisions are already covered by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which still upholds the restriction. The act was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday and will take effect in early November, according to state broadcaster NBT.
People’s Party MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a campaigner against the alcohol industry monopoly, cautioned on Facebook that he did not want vendors to face prosecution over the misunderstanding.
Violators face penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of 100,000 baht, or both.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... l-enforced
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Gaybutton
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Re: Now you can drink between 2pm-5pm - at restaurants
Here is the latest.
My advice would be to do your afternoon drinking only in hotels and restaurants where liquor can be served until the rules are crystal clear. Either that or live without alcohol between 2pm-5pm.
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Thailand's Afternoon Alcohol Sales Ban Persists Despite Widespread Misunderstandings of Alleged Repeal
By Adam Judd
September 13, 2025
Bangkok, September 13th, 2025 – Despite recent legislative changes and optimistic reports suggesting otherwise, Thailand’s longstanding ban on alcohol sales between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. remains firmly in place for most vendors, according to a clarification issued by the Disease Control Department. The announcement, made on September 11th, 2025, sparked confusion among business owners, tourists, and social media users who mistakenly believed the restriction had been fully lifted.
The ban, rooted in a 1972 military-era decree allegedly aimed at curbing civil servants’ extended lunchtime drinking, has long been a point of contention in Thailand’s tourism-driven economy. Under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 (2008), alcohol sales are permitted only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight daily, with additional prohibitions on Buddhist holidays (minus certain provincial areas) and election days. This three-hour afternoon window continues to apply to convenience stores, supermarkets, roadside stalls, restaurants, and most retail outlets, with violators facing fines up to 100,000 baht (about $3,000 USD), imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
The recent misunderstanding stems from the repeal of the original 1972 Revolutionary Council Order No. 253, which was formally scrapped on September 9th, 2025, as part of broader amendments to the Alcohol Control Act published in the Royal Gazette. Social media erupted with celebrations, as vendors and consumers interpreted the move as a complete end to the afternoon restriction.
However, Disease Control Department Director-General Suthas Chottanapan stated later that the order’s provisions were already enshrined in the 2008 Act, making the repeal a mere procedural formality rather than a substantive change.”
The ban remains in force for all shops except in designated venues like duty free shops in airports and licensed hotels and entertainment venues with licensed permission,” he stated, urging the public to avoid violations based on false assumptions.
People’s Party MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a vocal advocate for alcohol industry liberalization, echoed this warning on Facebook, noting that the confusion could lead to unnecessary prosecutions.”
Roadside food stalls, convenience stores, restaurants, and supermarkets are not included in any new exemptions. They still cannot sell alcohol during those hours,” he posted. This is not the first instance of such misinformation; similar mix-ups occurred earlier in 2025 when partial relaxations for tourist areas were announced, only for officials to clarify that the core ban persisted.
Thailand’s alcohol regulations have evolved incrementally over the years, often in response to economic pressures from the tourism sector, which contributes over 20% to the nation’s GDP. The 1972 ban was initially designed to promote productivity among government workers but has since been criticized as outdated, especially as Thailand positions 2025 as the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year.” In February 2025, then Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered a review of the restriction following lobbying from business groups like the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA), who argued it hampers revenue—potentially by as much as 100 billion baht annually—from tourists unfamiliar with the rule.
By March 2025, the House of Representatives passed amendments to the Alcohol Control Act, including provisions to allow advertising and ease production rules for small breweries, with some media outlets hailing it as a repeal of the afternoon ban. However, the bill still requires Senate approval and further ministerial regulations, and experts note that the core sales hours remain unchanged due to entrenched public health concerns.
Exemptions do exist for specific venues: international airports, hotels, licensed bars, and select tourist zones. These targeted relaxations, effective from June 27, 2025, aim to balance tourism promotion with social responsibility, but they cover only a fraction of sales outlets.
Public health advocates, including the Alcohol Control Network, have long opposed full liberalization, citing alleged risks of increased consumption, road accidents, and underage drinking. Thailand’s minimum drinking age is 20, and DUI penalties are severe, including potential deportation for foreigners.
The network recently warned that only about 3% of the country’s 580,000 registered alcohol vendors qualify for Buddhist holiday exemptions, showing the limited scope of reforms.
As Thailand navigates this tension between economic growth and regulatory caution, the Disease Control Department’s clarification serves as a reminder that change is gradual. Business leaders continue to push for zoning-based exemptions to new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in high-tourism areas and e-commerce sales, but for now, the afternoon ban endures for the average consumer.
Tourists and locals are advised to plan purchases accordingly—stocking up before 2 p.m. or waiting until 5 p.m.—to avoid fines or frustration. With the high season approaching, clearer communication from authorities could prevent further misconceptions.
https://thepattayanews.com/2025/09/13/t ... ed-repeal/
My advice would be to do your afternoon drinking only in hotels and restaurants where liquor can be served until the rules are crystal clear. Either that or live without alcohol between 2pm-5pm.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Thailand's Afternoon Alcohol Sales Ban Persists Despite Widespread Misunderstandings of Alleged Repeal
By Adam Judd
September 13, 2025
Bangkok, September 13th, 2025 – Despite recent legislative changes and optimistic reports suggesting otherwise, Thailand’s longstanding ban on alcohol sales between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. remains firmly in place for most vendors, according to a clarification issued by the Disease Control Department. The announcement, made on September 11th, 2025, sparked confusion among business owners, tourists, and social media users who mistakenly believed the restriction had been fully lifted.
The ban, rooted in a 1972 military-era decree allegedly aimed at curbing civil servants’ extended lunchtime drinking, has long been a point of contention in Thailand’s tourism-driven economy. Under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 (2008), alcohol sales are permitted only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight daily, with additional prohibitions on Buddhist holidays (minus certain provincial areas) and election days. This three-hour afternoon window continues to apply to convenience stores, supermarkets, roadside stalls, restaurants, and most retail outlets, with violators facing fines up to 100,000 baht (about $3,000 USD), imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
The recent misunderstanding stems from the repeal of the original 1972 Revolutionary Council Order No. 253, which was formally scrapped on September 9th, 2025, as part of broader amendments to the Alcohol Control Act published in the Royal Gazette. Social media erupted with celebrations, as vendors and consumers interpreted the move as a complete end to the afternoon restriction.
However, Disease Control Department Director-General Suthas Chottanapan stated later that the order’s provisions were already enshrined in the 2008 Act, making the repeal a mere procedural formality rather than a substantive change.”
The ban remains in force for all shops except in designated venues like duty free shops in airports and licensed hotels and entertainment venues with licensed permission,” he stated, urging the public to avoid violations based on false assumptions.
People’s Party MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a vocal advocate for alcohol industry liberalization, echoed this warning on Facebook, noting that the confusion could lead to unnecessary prosecutions.”
Roadside food stalls, convenience stores, restaurants, and supermarkets are not included in any new exemptions. They still cannot sell alcohol during those hours,” he posted. This is not the first instance of such misinformation; similar mix-ups occurred earlier in 2025 when partial relaxations for tourist areas were announced, only for officials to clarify that the core ban persisted.
Thailand’s alcohol regulations have evolved incrementally over the years, often in response to economic pressures from the tourism sector, which contributes over 20% to the nation’s GDP. The 1972 ban was initially designed to promote productivity among government workers but has since been criticized as outdated, especially as Thailand positions 2025 as the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year.” In February 2025, then Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered a review of the restriction following lobbying from business groups like the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA), who argued it hampers revenue—potentially by as much as 100 billion baht annually—from tourists unfamiliar with the rule.
By March 2025, the House of Representatives passed amendments to the Alcohol Control Act, including provisions to allow advertising and ease production rules for small breweries, with some media outlets hailing it as a repeal of the afternoon ban. However, the bill still requires Senate approval and further ministerial regulations, and experts note that the core sales hours remain unchanged due to entrenched public health concerns.
Exemptions do exist for specific venues: international airports, hotels, licensed bars, and select tourist zones. These targeted relaxations, effective from June 27, 2025, aim to balance tourism promotion with social responsibility, but they cover only a fraction of sales outlets.
Public health advocates, including the Alcohol Control Network, have long opposed full liberalization, citing alleged risks of increased consumption, road accidents, and underage drinking. Thailand’s minimum drinking age is 20, and DUI penalties are severe, including potential deportation for foreigners.
The network recently warned that only about 3% of the country’s 580,000 registered alcohol vendors qualify for Buddhist holiday exemptions, showing the limited scope of reforms.
As Thailand navigates this tension between economic growth and regulatory caution, the Disease Control Department’s clarification serves as a reminder that change is gradual. Business leaders continue to push for zoning-based exemptions to new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in high-tourism areas and e-commerce sales, but for now, the afternoon ban endures for the average consumer.
Tourists and locals are advised to plan purchases accordingly—stocking up before 2 p.m. or waiting until 5 p.m.—to avoid fines or frustration. With the high season approaching, clearer communication from authorities could prevent further misconceptions.
https://thepattayanews.com/2025/09/13/t ... ed-repeal/
Re: Now you can drink between 2pm-5pm - at restaurants
Who needs afternoon drinking anyway?
Some of us are quite capable of drinking too much during existing hours.
Some of us are quite capable of drinking too much during existing hours.
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Gaybutton
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Re: Now you can drink between 2pm-5pm - at restaurants
Apparently enough of "em. I've seen groups of them drinking as early as 7:30am - whether the venue was open legally or not.
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Gaybutton
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Re: Now you can drink between 2pm-5pm - at restaurants
With some I've seen, that would come as no surprise. Even on the boards I've seen posts from people actually bragging about how drunk they get - every day - as if it were something to be proud of.