Thailand is to relax its long-standing afternoon alcohol ban, with the changes expected to take effect this month as part of a six-month pilot programme.
According to the Strait Times, the country’s Public Health Minister, Pattana Promphat, confirmed that the country planned to temporarily lift its ban on alcohol sales and consumption between 14h00 and 17h00 as part of a six-month pilot programme. The move follows backlash from tourism, hospitality and business groups who argued that the restrictions were out of step with visitor expectations and hurt revenue.
Under current regulations, alcohol sales and consumption are banned from midnight to 11h00 and again from 14h00 till 17h00. Certain venues are exempt from these rules, including licensed entertainment establishments such as bars, clubs and hotels.
On November 8, the government warned that patrons of venues without entertainment licences could face fines of up to THB10 000 (R5 335) if they continued drinking alcohol purchased during permitted hours after the cut-off times. Industry stakeholders said it caused confusion and deterred customers from buying drinks at all during permitted hours, leading to sharp declines in alcohol sales.
