The absurd sales ban hours have finally been lifted. Trial basis or not, I think the new rules are here to stay. As I said when the new marijuana rules were disputed, once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it's awfully hard to put it back in.
However - bear in mind that between the hours of 4:00am-11:00am - no alcohol sales. Those who like to drink at those hours will just have to wait before beginning to work on their cirrhosis of the liver . . .
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Official Update: New Trial Alcohol Sales Hours Effective Immediately
By Adam Judd
December 3, 2025
The Royal Gazette published the latest announcement from the National Alcohol Beverage and Policy Control Committee, introducing revised hours for alcohol sales nationwide.
Key change:
The previous prohibition on alcohol sales between 14:00–17:00 has been lifted.
New permitted sales hours:
11:00 – 24:00 daily, special zones with extended hours like Pattaya or Patong remain later until 4 AM.
This adjustment is being implemented on a 180-day trial basis to evaluate its impact on public health, safety, and socio-economic factors, with a formal review scheduled thereafter. It also allows people an hour after the legal venue closing time to finish their drinks before any penalties would take placement. The period is a trial and being monitored by both pro alcohol and opposition groups.
The change takes effect immediately.
https://thepattayanews.com/2025/12/03/o ... mediately/
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Afternoon alcohol ban lifted, effective immediately
Pub customers given an extra hour to finish their drinks
December 3, 2025
Registered outlets can now sell alcoholic beverages during the previously banned period of 2pm to 5pm, with a one hour extension of time for customers in licensed premises at night to finish their drinks.
The new regulation took effect on Wednesday after it was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday. It was signed by Public Health Minister Pattana Phrompat. He said that the recent changes are appropriate for the current situation.
The regulation extends the previously permitted hours for alcohol sales - 11am to 2pm and 5pm to midnight - removing the three-hour afternoon ban. The midnight close remains in effect, but customers on licensed premises are now allowed until 1am to finish their drinks.
The announcement allows for a trial period of 180 days. Alcohol control committees in Bangkok and other provinces are required to assess the impact of the change for further consideration.
Exceptions allowing sales outside the permitted times are made for international airports.
Thailand has banned most retail outlets and supermarkets from selling alcohol between the hours of 2pm and 5pm since 1972. That rule originated as a decree by a coup regime.
One reason given over the years was to prevent students buying alcohol after they finish school classes for the day.
The decision to end the ban was agreed to on Nov 13, aimed at stimulating tourism and economic activity during peak tourism periods such as New Year and Songkran.
While Thailand is known for its tourism and nightlife, its alcohol laws are influenced by Buddhist teachings that see drinking as a moral issue.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Thailand has some of the highest alcohol consumption rates in Asia.
In 2021, Thailand was ranked 16th among nearly 200 countries for road traffic deaths per capita, according to WHO data.
From 2019 to 2023, nearly 33,000 people died in drunk driving incidents in Thailand, according to Public Health Ministry figures.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... mmediately
New alcohol sales hours: 11:00am - Midnight
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Re: New alcohol sales hours: 11:00am - Midnight
Explainer: New Regulations on Ban on Alcohol Sales to Intoxicated Customers in Thailand
December 19, 2025
Thai retailers and bar owners are adapting to an update in the country’s alcohol regulations, with a new prohibition on selling alcoholic beverages to visibly intoxicated individuals now in force since November.
The amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2) B.E. 2568 (2025), which took effect in November following its first publication in the Royal Gazette in September, introduces enhanced retailer responsibilities aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. A key new provision under Section 29 prohibits sales to intoxicated persons, making vendors jointly liable for civil damages if such sales lead to property damage, injury, or death caused by the buyer.
The Craft Beer Association of Thailand explained this change in a widely shared Facebook post on December 19th, providing simplified guidance for retailers. The association summarized ongoing sales hours as 11:00 a.m. to midnight – aligning with recent nationwide adjustments that include a trial period lifting the traditional afternoon ban that we covered here, while reiterating longstanding bans on sales to minors under 20 years old.
Retailers are advised to assess buyers’ sobriety and refuse service when necessary, with doubts about age prompting requests for ID. To mitigate risks, the association recommends installing CCTV cameras for evidence, training staff on compliance and refusal techniques, displaying clear signage about the rules, and promoting safe transport options like ride-hailing services. They also suggested training staff on de-escalation tactics to gently cut off an intoxicated customer and how to handle these situations.
The group stressed support for responsible drinking, urging industry teamwork to develop a healthier culture. This provision builds on broader 2025 reforms to the 2008 Act, which also tightened advertising restrictions and adjusted sales frameworks to balance public health with modern realities.
Alcohol-related incidents remain a concern in Thailand, where regulations have long sought to curb excessive consumption. The new liability rule is seen by supporters as a step toward greater accountability, potentially benefiting public safety. Retailers found violating the intoxicated sales ban face penalties alongside potential compensation claims from affected parties.
As the holiday season approaches, authorities and industry groups are encouraging moderation to ensure compliance and safety.
TPN Media notes, however, that the new regulation isn’t without critics. Many point out that under the new regulation the seller is responsible for using their own judgment to determine if someone is too intoxicated to serve, without any standardized practice or testing on the consumer. Critics point out this could lead to varied results and that some heavy drinkers show little visible signs of intoxication.
Additionally, as the new regulation mainly falls under civil case jurisdiction, which means police or relevant officials would not be involved in enforcement, enforcement of the new regulation would likely suffer, claim critics. Critics also point out that some drinkers may attempt to pin blame on driving drunk or other actions on a business versus taking self responsibility for their actions.
https://thepattayanews.com/2025/12/19/e ... -thailand/
December 19, 2025
Thai retailers and bar owners are adapting to an update in the country’s alcohol regulations, with a new prohibition on selling alcoholic beverages to visibly intoxicated individuals now in force since November.
The amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2) B.E. 2568 (2025), which took effect in November following its first publication in the Royal Gazette in September, introduces enhanced retailer responsibilities aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. A key new provision under Section 29 prohibits sales to intoxicated persons, making vendors jointly liable for civil damages if such sales lead to property damage, injury, or death caused by the buyer.
The Craft Beer Association of Thailand explained this change in a widely shared Facebook post on December 19th, providing simplified guidance for retailers. The association summarized ongoing sales hours as 11:00 a.m. to midnight – aligning with recent nationwide adjustments that include a trial period lifting the traditional afternoon ban that we covered here, while reiterating longstanding bans on sales to minors under 20 years old.
Retailers are advised to assess buyers’ sobriety and refuse service when necessary, with doubts about age prompting requests for ID. To mitigate risks, the association recommends installing CCTV cameras for evidence, training staff on compliance and refusal techniques, displaying clear signage about the rules, and promoting safe transport options like ride-hailing services. They also suggested training staff on de-escalation tactics to gently cut off an intoxicated customer and how to handle these situations.
The group stressed support for responsible drinking, urging industry teamwork to develop a healthier culture. This provision builds on broader 2025 reforms to the 2008 Act, which also tightened advertising restrictions and adjusted sales frameworks to balance public health with modern realities.
Alcohol-related incidents remain a concern in Thailand, where regulations have long sought to curb excessive consumption. The new liability rule is seen by supporters as a step toward greater accountability, potentially benefiting public safety. Retailers found violating the intoxicated sales ban face penalties alongside potential compensation claims from affected parties.
As the holiday season approaches, authorities and industry groups are encouraging moderation to ensure compliance and safety.
TPN Media notes, however, that the new regulation isn’t without critics. Many point out that under the new regulation the seller is responsible for using their own judgment to determine if someone is too intoxicated to serve, without any standardized practice or testing on the consumer. Critics point out this could lead to varied results and that some heavy drinkers show little visible signs of intoxication.
Additionally, as the new regulation mainly falls under civil case jurisdiction, which means police or relevant officials would not be involved in enforcement, enforcement of the new regulation would likely suffer, claim critics. Critics also point out that some drinkers may attempt to pin blame on driving drunk or other actions on a business versus taking self responsibility for their actions.
https://thepattayanews.com/2025/12/19/e ... -thailand/