Thailand Lifts Afternoon Ban on Alcohol Sales To Boost Tourism
The government is moving ahead with plans to lift the long-standing 2pm–5pm alcohol sales ban, aiming to stimulate tourism and boost consumer spending during peak holiday periods.
Speaking at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Zarum announced that the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee has agreed in principle to end the afternoon prohibition, which currently limits legal sales to 11am-2pm and 5pm-midnight.
Mr. Sophon said the move supports the cabinet’s broader goal of updating alcohol regulations to better reflect present-day realities and strengthen both tourism and economic recovery.
“During festive seasons like New Year, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism has expressed concern that overly strict enforcement might deter both foreign visitors and domestic travellers from celebrating and spending,” he said.
“Therefore, the government will extend sales hours to help drive economic activity.”
Following the committee’s resolution, a 15-day public consultation will be held before the new regulation is issued as a Prime Minister’s Office announcement, a process that does not require cabinet approval.
However, the question of late-night drinking hours remains unresolved.
Tourism operators and nightlife businesses continue to push for an extension to 4am, while the Public Health Ministry and medical experts strongly oppose the idea, citing data showing that the deadliest drunk-driving incidents occur between 2am and 3am.
Mr. Sophon said he has instructed the Alcohol Beverages Control Committee to revisit the issue and identify a compromise based on scientific evidence, such as closing venues at 1am.
“If we allow drinking until 2am,” he warned, “the risk of road accidents will increase during morning rush hours, between 5am-7am.”
He also addressed the origins of the afternoon ban, describing it as a relic of a different era.
“That rule was originally introduced decades ago to stop civil servants from drinking between 2pm-5pm. But that era is over — no civil servant today spends their afternoon drinking. It’s an outdated measure that should be abolished,” he said.
Mr. Sophon added that while the government continues to promote responsible consumption during the holiday season, regulations must remain realistic.
“The state can promote moderation, but it must provide incentives. You cannot simply tell people not to drink — that’s impractical. For example, communities that choose not to serve alcohol could be rewarded in some way,” he suggested.
He reaffirmed that the afternoon sales ban will definitely be lifted, while the final cut-off for late-night hours, whether 2am or 4am, will depend on the outcome of ongoing committee discussions.
He also noted that operational hours for entertainment venues fall under the Ministry of the Interior, which already oversees rules governing when alcohol may be sold or consumed.
Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat chaired a separate meeting of the Alcohol Beverages Control Committee yesterday, joined by representatives from various state agencies.
The meeting reviewed key points in the revision of alcohol regulations, with the aim of making them more adaptable to current tourism and economic conditions while maintaining public safety and promoting responsible consumption.
Mr. Pattana said the review is intended to ensure the law better reflects real-world situations, especially in designated tourism areas and during cultural or promotional events where regulated sales or consumption may be allowed under proper conditions.
The committee also examined a draft announcement detailing guidelines for alcohol sales and consumption to support domestic tourism, allowing such activities only in authorised areas, under official supervision, and in ways that benefit the tourism sector and the wider economy.
