Thread: Alcohol sales ban in Thailand between 2 PM- 5 PM to be lifted nationwide on July 1st

The long-standing alcohol sales ban between 2-5 PM will be lifted nationwide on July 1st but only in hotels, the Tourism and Sports Minister said today, June 17th, at the Center for Covid-19 Situation (CCSA) meeting.


According to Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the CCSA has agreed to lift the unpopular nationwide alcohol sales ban between 2 PM – 5 PM, starting this July 1st along with the other newest relaxations that have just been updated today, June 17th, by the CCSA.


Nevertheless, the change, according to the minister, will initially be limited to hotels that cater to tourists. Restaurants and tourist attractions may also sell alcohol during the extended period, at the provincial governor’s discretion, the minister said.

“This change is supposed to uplift tourism. Imagine if some tourists are relaxing in their hotel, and they are suddenly notified that the alcohol is not allowed anymore from 2-5 PM. This will surefire ruin the country’s reputation,” the tourism and sports minister said. “However, this new change is not applied to regular and convenience stores, at least initially, until more research is done,” Phiphat stated.


Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn concluded that Thai tourism will improve by a great margin from these new relaxations. Starting on July 1st, an estimated 25-30 thousand international tourists are expected to enter the country daily. He expects to see no less than 7.5 million people in total at this year-end and hopes to push to 10 million at best.

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so are they going to filter out thai tourists?

Originally Posted by misskit

Imagine if some tourists are relaxing in their hotel, and they are suddenly notified that the alcohol is not allowed anymore from 2-5 PM. This will surefire ruin the country’s reputation,” the tourism and sports minister said.
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just imagine.


has he just realised this?

Originally Posted by DrWilly

has he just realised this?

Twas my exact thought.....

I don't understand. I have always been able to buy a drink in the afternoon anywhere in Thailand except from shops and supermarkets. So, just what has changed?

I thought that the original idea of the 2 to 5 ban was to stop school kids buying it? It's bloody annoying when you nip into a 7/11 for a 6 pack of sanmig and it's just gone 5 minutes past 2 and the spotty little knut behind the counter won't serve you. Even though I've not looked like a schoolboy for a while now

'Tops' here in Jomtien happily supplied Thai lady in front of me with half a dozen small Sang Soms yesterday at 10.30am - all I wanted was a pint of milk - or I could have called their bluff. !

Originally Posted by BLD

I thought that the original idea of the 2 to 5 ban was to stop school kids buying it?

...I read somewhere that the 2-5pm alcohol ban was instituted to prevent drunk civil servants who are apparently less efficient (as if that were possible) when they've been drinking...

Originally Posted by tomcat

...I read somewhere that the 2-5pm alcohol ban was instituted to prevent drunk civil servants who are apparently less efficient (as if that were possible) when they've been drinking...

No, it was to stop kids buying it because apparently making it illegal didn't work.

Kids would never think to go to a shop outside these hours.

Originally Posted by tomcat

...I read somewhere that the 2-5pm alcohol ban was instituted to prevent drunk civil servants who are apparently less efficient (as if that were possible) when they've been drinking...

I imagine it was scribbled on some public lavatory wall you were visiting.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Absolute drivel.

I have consumed alcohol in any number of bars, hotels and restaurants throughout Thailand, from Samui to Koh Chang, from Bangkok to Hua Hin, from Surin and Khorat to Pattaya and Jomtian in the afternoon and no-one has either informed me or hinted it was an illegal act.

As have I. It applies to off sales.

The prohibition on buying liquor from a store or supermarket between 1400 and 1700 hours has been the case since Thaksin's days and was an attempt to curtail Thai propensity for alcoholism, a measure that he further extended by introducing earlier bar closures from between 2400 and 0200 hrs whereas in the good old days one could drink the night through.

The original law dates back to 1972, although I do seem to remember some goody two shoes health minister tweaking them under the Thaksin administration.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

although I do seem to remember some goody two shoes health minister tweaking them under the Thaksin administration

That was Purachai Piumsombun, the minister of interior at the time.

I've been cut off at several restaurants in Bangkok, outside of BKK I don't think anyone pays attention to it.

^ They do in shops and restaurants up in Sakhon Nakon and in Udon Thani, at least in the malls and chain stores. Many a time I have had to walk out of a 7/11, Big-C etc. and buy from the local Thai shop just down the road.

I don't know if it is still possible, I haven't bothered trying for ages, but you could buy in bulk during these hours. I was told I couldn't buy a crate of beer because it was after 2pm but it was okay to buy 2 (or was it 3?) crates. Since we are a couple of hours drive from the big shops it is a real pain when you get there just too late and don't want to have to hang around til 5pm.

Originally Posted by Troy

^ They do in shops and restaurants up in Sakhon Nakon and in Udon Thani, at least in the malls and chain stores. Many a time I have had to walk out of a 7/11, Big-C etc. and buy from the local Thai shop just down the road.

I don't know if it is still possible, I haven't bothered trying for ages, but you could buy in bulk during these hours. I was told I couldn't buy a crate of beer because it was after 2pm but it was okay to buy 2 (or was it 3?) crates. Since we are a couple of hours drive from the big shops it is a real pain when you get there just too late and don't want to have to hang around til 5pm.

Same in all of the usual 24 hour convenience stores in Phuket, and the franchised restaurants within the major shopping malls (Central Festival etc). From recollection, the waiver amount was 17 litres or more, so yes, a couple of cases would do it, which was meant to assist places with their stocking.