Thailand has temporarily lifted the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in the afternoon to boost tourism.
The Royal Gazette published on December 2, 2025 a new announcement from the Alcohol Control Committee revising the authorized hours for the sale of alcohol nationwide.
The new regulation came into effect on December 3.
Liquor stores, restaurants, and other licensed establishments can now sell beer, wine, and spirits from 2 pm to 5 pm as part of a six-month trial.
On-site alcohol consumption will be allowed until 1 am, but sales must cease at midnight.
A 50-year-old ban that was no longer adapted
This ban, which came into effect in 1972, was introduced primarily to prevent civil servants from drinking during their working hours.
But it had long frustrated foreign tourists in this majority Buddhist country, also known for its lively festive scene.
A six-month trial to measure the impact on tourism
This measure comes just days before Christmas and New Year, two periods of high tourist traffic.
The sale of alcohol in the country is now allowed from 11 am to midnight for the next 180 days, while a committee studies its impact.
Its findings will determine whether the measure will be extended, canceled, or made permanent.
The government hopes that this measure will encourage consumption in bars and restaurants and increase tourist spending during the high season.
Previously, those who violated the ban faced a fine of up to 10,000 baht (268 euros).
See: Drinking alcohol in Thailand between 2 pm and 5 pm can be very expensive for you
The government is banking on tourism
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who took office in September, has promised to win back tourists as part of efforts to revive the economy, which has been slowed down by years of political unrest.
"In the past, there was a fear that civil servants would slip away to drink, but times have changed," said Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram to reporters last month, according to AFP news agency.
High alcohol consumption in Thailand
Thailand has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in Asia, according to the World Health Organization, and local beers such as Chang and Singha are very popular.
But according to a survey conducted in July 2025, alcohol consumption among young people is declining.
Thailand: alcohol consumption is declining among young people
- Thailand has again allowed the sale of alcohol from 2pm to 5pm for six months.
- The goal is to support tourism during the high season.
- The 1972 ban targeted civil servants but was no longer suited to current tourism realities.
See also:
Alcohol + durian: a deadly mix normally well known in Thailand
Thailand: alcohol is again allowed in the afternoon in certain places
Thailand relaxes the ban on alcohol during Buddhist festivals
Source : BBC, The Nation Thailand
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3 comments
Bravo – congratulations to Thailand for this decision.
Magnificent, everyone will be able to get drunk whenever they want.
This will boost quality tourists thoroughly.
Otherwise, for the floods – the pollution in Chiang Mai that already scares me – the rivers polluted with heavy metals in Mae AI not far from my place and everywhere in the North – the climatic catastrophes that will intensify, what do we do guys?
And one small important point though: the place where I am, people didn't wait for this alcohol reform to get drunk at any time of day.
On the other hand, the pollutants in the rivers worry them a lot and nothing is happening, even less going to say a word to Burma.
Poor people.
Government decisions that continually harm tourism, which they then correct.
They haven't understood the real problem stemming from their decisions that can discourage: double taxation, visa procedures, prices of planes and hotels regardless of category that have doubled in 2 years, a baht much too high given their current situation, disparagement of tourists with modest or average income who also greatly support local small restaurants and other small businesses (the desired wealthy won't go there) etc, etc.
After that, they're surprised that tourism is declining.
Well, people aren't stupid, they go next door to Vietnam for example, even if they love the country, have contacts or modify their length of stay while waiting for the Thai government to understand and stop treating us like cash cows.
In 2026, I'll spend only 10 days there instead of 30.
I got a direct flight ticket to Malaysia for €600.
In 48 hours, we went from a temporary authorization of a few weeks (during the Christmas-New Year period) to an authorization for a period of 6 months, to measure the impact on tourism !!!
And to say that international tourists are all hardened drunkards and that we count on them to boost GDP on the sale of alcoholic beverages, there is only one step that the Thais will follow as quickly as their throat.
I bet my first underwear that the measure will be extended and become permanent ??
Or else, it's the water revolution that is underway !!!
Cheers, to your health, ladies and gentlemen…