Thailand allows afternoon alcohol sales again for year-end holiday celebrations

BANGKOK (AP) On Wednesday, Thailand officially ended a 53-year restriction on selling alcoholic beverages during afternoon hours, a move aimed at stimulating tourism and boosting business for bars, convenience stores, and other venues during the year-end holiday season. The restriction, which previously prohibited sales from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., will now be lifted on a 180-day trial basis, with authorities reviewing its impact afterward.

The original afternoon ban, implemented in 1972 under military governance, covered beer, spirits, and wine, though the precise rationale behind it has largely faded from public memory. Thailands predominantly Buddhist culture traditionally discourages alcohol consumption, yet drinking remains widely practiced.

Under the revised Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, published officially in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, consumers may now purchase alcoholic drinks between 11 a.m. and midnight. Nightlife venues are permitted to serve alcohol until 1 a.m., giving patrons an extra hour to enjoy beverages on site.

Before the amendment, afternoon sales were sometimes tolerated in certain areas such as airports, hotels, and entertainment districts, though enforcement was inconsistent. Informal sales at small shops and eateries were also common. Concerns had been raised that extended sales hours might increase drunk driving incidents, but the laws implementation now moves forward despite these worries.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many regions had temporarily imposed a full ban on alcohol sales to help curb the viruss spread, adding to the complexity of enforcement over the years.

Author: Lucas Grant