Bangkok, September 13th, 2025 – Despite recent legislative changes and optimistic reports suggesting otherwise, Thailand’s longstanding ban on alcohol sales between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. remains firmly in place for most vendors, according to a clarification issued by the Disease Control Department. The announcement, made on September 11th, 2025, sparked confusion among business owners, tourists, and social media users who mistakenly believed the restriction had been fully lifted.
The ban, rooted in a 1972 military-era decree allegedly aimed at curbing civil servants’ extended lunchtime drinking, has long been a point of contention in Thailand’s tourism-driven economy. Under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 (2008), alcohol sales are permitted only from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight daily, with additional prohibitions on Buddhist holidays (minus certain provincial areas) and election days. This three-hour afternoon window continues to apply to convenience stores, supermarkets, roadside stalls, restaurants, and most retail outlets, with violators facing fines up to 100,000 baht (about $3,000 USD), imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
The recent misunderstanding stems from the repeal of the original 1972 Revolutionary Council Order No. 253, which was formally scrapped on September 9th, 2025, as part of broader amendments to the Alcohol Control Act published in the Royal Gazette. Social media erupted with celebrations, as vendors and consumers interpreted the move as a complete end to the afternoon restriction.
However, Disease Control Department Director-General Suthas Chottanapan stated later that the order’s provisions were already enshrined in the 2008 Act, making the repeal a mere procedural formality rather than a substantive change.”
The ban remains in force for all shops except in designated venues like duty free shops in airports and licensed hotels and entertainment venues with licensed permission,” he stated, urging the public to avoid violations based on false assumptions.
People’s Party MP Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, a vocal advocate for alcohol industry liberalization, echoed this warning on Facebook, noting that the confusion could lead to unnecessary prosecutions.”
Roadside food stalls, convenience stores, restaurants, and supermarkets are not included in any new exemptions. They still cannot sell alcohol during those hours,” he posted. This is not the first instance of such misinformation; similar mix-ups occurred earlier in 2025 when partial relaxations for tourist areas were announced, only for officials to clarify that the core ban persisted.
Thailand’s alcohol regulations have evolved incrementally over the years, often in response to economic pressures from the tourism sector, which contributes over 20% to the nation’s GDP. The 1972 ban was initially designed to promote productivity among government workers but has since been criticized as outdated, especially as Thailand positions 2025 as the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year.” In February 2025, then Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered a review of the restriction following lobbying from business groups like the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA), who argued it hampers revenue—potentially by as much as 100 billion baht annually—from tourists unfamiliar with the rule.
By March 2025, the House of Representatives passed amendments to the Alcohol Control Act, including provisions to allow advertising and ease production rules for small breweries, with some media outlets hailing it as a repeal of the afternoon ban. However, the bill still requires Senate approval and further ministerial regulations, and experts note that the core sales hours remain unchanged due to entrenched public health concerns.
Exemptions do exist for specific venues: international airports, hotels, licensed bars, and select tourist zones. These targeted relaxations, effective from June 27, 2025, aim to balance tourism promotion with social responsibility, but they cover only a fraction of sales outlets.
Public health advocates, including the Alcohol Control Network, have long opposed full liberalization, citing alleged risks of increased consumption, road accidents, and underage drinking. Thailand’s minimum drinking age is 20, and DUI penalties are severe, including potential deportation for foreigners.
The network recently warned that only about 3% of the country’s 580,000 registered alcohol vendors qualify for Buddhist holiday exemptions, showing the limited scope of reforms.
As Thailand navigates this tension between economic growth and regulatory caution, the Disease Control Department’s clarification serves as a reminder that change is gradual. Business leaders continue to push for zoning-based exemptions to new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in high-tourism areas and e-commerce sales, but for now, the afternoon ban endures for the average consumer.
Tourists and locals are advised to plan purchases accordingly—stocking up before 2 p.m. or waiting until 5 p.m.—to avoid fines or frustration. With the high season approaching, clearer communication from authorities could prevent further misconceptions.
Photos: Recent afternoon setup of an event on Pattaya Beach. Alcohol sales are also banned on the grounds at all city or government sponsored events leading to lots of confusion from tourists on major events like music festivals and fireworks.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
