If either or both of these happen, I'd say it's about time.
Fingers crossed if at some point he will advocate legalizing prostitution. It's also about time to end the prudes getting to make the rules for everybody else.
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Anutin plans to scrap alcohol zoning, extend pub hours to 4am, and lift 2–5pm sales ban
by THE NATION
October 22, 2025
PM plans to end alcohol zoning nationwide, allow pubs to open until 4am, and lift the 2–5pm sales ban by January 2026 to boost tax revenue
Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Interior Minister, is pushing to abolish alcohol zoning nationwide, extend pub operating hours to 4am, and lift the ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm. The government aims to implement the new measures by January 2026, before the current Parliament is dissolved, expecting to generate hundreds of billions of baht in tax revenue.
A government source revealed that during the Cabinet meeting on October 21, Anutin instructed the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Health to jointly study the feasibility of removing alcohol sales zoning regulations. The move would allow alcohol sales across the country without zoning restrictions, extend operating hours from 2am to 4am, and lift the long-standing afternoon sales ban.
Implementation could be achieved through a ministerial regulation issued by the Ministry of Interior.
Reforming a system seen as outdated and unfair
The proposed reform stems from criticism that the current zoning system benefits only a limited number of registered operators. The new system would simplify registration procedures by requiring operators to register directly with the Ministry of Interior as alcohol vendors, without the need for separate entertainment venue registration.
A joint review between the Interior and Public Health ministries will consider relaxing opening hours nationwide, with the dual goal of boosting tourism and increasing government tax revenues.
Current regulations and pilot areas
The current ministerial regulation on business hours, issued in 2023, already allows selected entertainment venues in Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui district of Surat Thani to stay open until 4am.
In Bangkok, extended-hour venues are limited to specific zones such as Silom, Patpong, RCA Phetchaburi Road, and Ratchadaphisek, along with licensed venues in hotels. According to data from Bangkok’s 50 district offices, there are 207 licensed entertainment venues across 33 districts—including 73 in zoning areas, 8 located in hotels, and 134 outside zoning zones, of which 24 are within hotels.
Anutin’s plan to expand the policy nationwide marks one of the most significant deregulations in Thailand’s nightlife and alcohol industry, intended to modernise tourism policies and strengthen fiscal revenues.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40057165
2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
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Gaybutton
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Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
......and of course, intended to generate more votes for him in the next election.THE NATION wrote: ↑Fri Oct 24, 2025 11:58 am
The government aims to implement the new measures by January 2026, before the current Parliament is dissolved, expecting to generate hundreds of billions of baht in tax revenue.
Let's just hope he has better luck with this than he had with the legalization of marijuana debacle which has already cost small businesses a fortune.
Now, if his Party were to legalizes Prostitution they'll get enough votes to keep them in office forever...and TAT would be in heaven...
Vote for Anutin..."SEX, Drugs & Rock n' Roll"
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Gaybutton
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Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
Lisa Hamilton is President of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association
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Lisa Hamilton hails 4 AM closing plan as a game changer for Pattaya’s nightlife economy
By Pattaya Mail
October 24, 2025
Thailand’s nightlife sector is celebrating after the government, under the direction of Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, announced plans to abolish zoning regulations for alcohol sales and extend nightlife venue operating hours to 4 AM nationwide — up from the current 2 AM limit. The move, expected to take effect by January 2026, also includes lifting the ban on alcohol sales between 2 PM and 5 PM and replacing the current licensing system with a simpler venue registration model.
Authorities believe the reform could generate over 500 billion baht in annual tax revenue and revitalize the country’s nightlife-driven economy.
Currently, extended 4 AM closing hours are allowed only in select areas — Bangkok, Chonburi (Pattaya), Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui (Surat Thani) — as per the Ministry of Interior’s 2023 regulation.
Lisa Hamilton, President of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association (PNBA), welcomed the policy:
“This is fantastic news for nightlife operators, especially those outside the official zoning areas who have long lost business opportunities. The previous extension to 4 AM benefited only venues in zoned areas like Walking Street, where sales surged and tourists felt more relaxed. Extending hours across all areas will ensure fair competition, spread income, and bring the city’s nightlife back to life.”
Lisa added that removing zoning restrictions will allow more balanced tourism activity throughout Pattaya rather than just concentrated zones, benefiting local workers and the broader service sector.
If implemented as planned, the policy is expected to revive Pattaya’s nightlife, boost tourism revenue by tens of billions of baht, and enhance Thailand’s global appeal as a 24-hour tourism destination.
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/lisa-h ... omy-523670
___________________________________________________________________________
Lisa Hamilton hails 4 AM closing plan as a game changer for Pattaya’s nightlife economy
By Pattaya Mail
October 24, 2025
Thailand’s nightlife sector is celebrating after the government, under the direction of Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, announced plans to abolish zoning regulations for alcohol sales and extend nightlife venue operating hours to 4 AM nationwide — up from the current 2 AM limit. The move, expected to take effect by January 2026, also includes lifting the ban on alcohol sales between 2 PM and 5 PM and replacing the current licensing system with a simpler venue registration model.
Authorities believe the reform could generate over 500 billion baht in annual tax revenue and revitalize the country’s nightlife-driven economy.
Currently, extended 4 AM closing hours are allowed only in select areas — Bangkok, Chonburi (Pattaya), Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui (Surat Thani) — as per the Ministry of Interior’s 2023 regulation.
Lisa Hamilton, President of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association (PNBA), welcomed the policy:
“This is fantastic news for nightlife operators, especially those outside the official zoning areas who have long lost business opportunities. The previous extension to 4 AM benefited only venues in zoned areas like Walking Street, where sales surged and tourists felt more relaxed. Extending hours across all areas will ensure fair competition, spread income, and bring the city’s nightlife back to life.”
Lisa added that removing zoning restrictions will allow more balanced tourism activity throughout Pattaya rather than just concentrated zones, benefiting local workers and the broader service sector.
If implemented as planned, the policy is expected to revive Pattaya’s nightlife, boost tourism revenue by tens of billions of baht, and enhance Thailand’s global appeal as a 24-hour tourism destination.
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/lisa-h ... omy-523670
Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
How often do people here want to drink in the afternoon?
Some don't visit the bars.
Even those if us who do visit the bars have plenty of opportunity to do so later on in the day. Including drinking to excess.
The one thing I do see is drinking at the girly bars from about 1~2pm onwards. Yet, even the open gay bars will be lucky to even have any customers around 5:00pm.
The Shamrock will typically have more customers than all of the adjacent Boyztown bars around that time.
The gay community seems to manage without afternoon drinking. Including some of us who like a beer.
Some don't visit the bars.
Even those if us who do visit the bars have plenty of opportunity to do so later on in the day. Including drinking to excess.
The one thing I do see is drinking at the girly bars from about 1~2pm onwards. Yet, even the open gay bars will be lucky to even have any customers around 5:00pm.
The Shamrock will typically have more customers than all of the adjacent Boyztown bars around that time.
The gay community seems to manage without afternoon drinking. Including some of us who like a beer.
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Gaybutton
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Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
To me the point is not the drinking, but the restrictions. I don't like someone else telling me when I can drink whether I drink or not, someone else telling me what time to call it a night, and what time I can buy liquor in a store. I don't drink, but I occasionally buy a bottle of wine because some recipes I cook at home call for it. I don't like someone else telling me what time I can buy it. Those are things I can decide for myself. I neither need nor want someone else deciding for me.
I can understand restrictions when they are truly necessary, but I see no necessity for the alcohol restrictions. If Anutin gets his way, those restrictions will be gone and I'll be glad if that happens.
Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
One of my Thai boyfriends will be happy with this news. He drives motobike taxi at night.
Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
There are a lot of people who shop in the afternoons for things they need later during the evening hours, including alcohol.
The restriction made no sense and was archaic, especially in a tourist town. Lifting the ban is a no-brainer.
Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
As far as extending the bar opening hours to 4:00 AM - I see this as a double-edged sword.
In my hometown of Chicago the vast majority of bars stay open until 2:00 AM unless they have a special late-night license which allows them to stay open until 4:00 AM. Chicago always reports an increase in violent crimes during the late night (early morning) hours in areas that have a lot of bars because the more intoxicated people get the more crime you have. That's just a fact.
I really don't see this as a big problem in gay areas, i.e., Boyztown, Jomtien Complex, etc., but I do in places like Walking Street which is packed right now with intoxicated Indian rip-offs at those hours, and Soi Bua Khao, which is packed with drunk Brits who are known to get violent when they're drunk. And before anyone accuses me of stereotyping...just read the newspapers...
Bottom line: Violent crimes in Pattaya will increase. If the advantages of allowing bars to operate later will outweigh the increase in violent crimes remains to be seen.
In my hometown of Chicago the vast majority of bars stay open until 2:00 AM unless they have a special late-night license which allows them to stay open until 4:00 AM. Chicago always reports an increase in violent crimes during the late night (early morning) hours in areas that have a lot of bars because the more intoxicated people get the more crime you have. That's just a fact.
I really don't see this as a big problem in gay areas, i.e., Boyztown, Jomtien Complex, etc., but I do in places like Walking Street which is packed right now with intoxicated Indian rip-offs at those hours, and Soi Bua Khao, which is packed with drunk Brits who are known to get violent when they're drunk. And before anyone accuses me of stereotyping...just read the newspapers...
Bottom line: Violent crimes in Pattaya will increase. If the advantages of allowing bars to operate later will outweigh the increase in violent crimes remains to be seen.
Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
The other disadvantages of 4:00 am bar opening could include:
1 The bar boys may end up working until 4:00 am and may be not sleeping until 6:00 am or later.
(i) If you want a boy staying long time, it tends not to work too well if his body clock is about 6 hours out of synch with the customers. I know one lad who is quite keen to stay long time, but as he already stays up very late, it would be problematic.
(ii) Finding a bar boy on line during the day would be more difficult. That still leaves the boys who don't work in bars, but it's narrowing the choices down.
(iii) Either the bars will not open until later, or they spread the same amount of trade over a longer period. That's IF they take advantage of the 4:00 am opening.
(iv) Are they going to expect their staff on site from 5:00 pm to 4:00 am ? 11hours. I don't think that is good for the staff.
I don't see the point of it.
2 People waking others up in hotels at all sorts of unsociable hours.
As for violence, that's always a minority of people, but they are the ones in the newspapers.
1 The bar boys may end up working until 4:00 am and may be not sleeping until 6:00 am or later.
(i) If you want a boy staying long time, it tends not to work too well if his body clock is about 6 hours out of synch with the customers. I know one lad who is quite keen to stay long time, but as he already stays up very late, it would be problematic.
(ii) Finding a bar boy on line during the day would be more difficult. That still leaves the boys who don't work in bars, but it's narrowing the choices down.
(iii) Either the bars will not open until later, or they spread the same amount of trade over a longer period. That's IF they take advantage of the 4:00 am opening.
(iv) Are they going to expect their staff on site from 5:00 pm to 4:00 am ? 11hours. I don't think that is good for the staff.
I don't see the point of it.
2 People waking others up in hotels at all sorts of unsociable hours.
As for violence, that's always a minority of people, but they are the ones in the newspapers.
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Gaybutton
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Re: 2pm-5pm alcohol sales ban may be lifted - bar hours may be extended
The fact that the bars can remain open until 4:00am does not necessarily mean that's what they're going to do. I don't see the gay bars staying open that late because I'm doubtful there will be enough customers to support those hours. I could see the bars staying open that late maybe once or twice a week, but every night? I just don't see that happening.
I also don't buy into the idea that later closing hours necessarily means more violent crime.
We'll just have to wait and see what actually does happen.
I'm much more interested in seeing an end to the 2pm-5pm no alcohol sales. I've always felt that is ridiculous, so no objection from me if that is abolished.