Thailand Lifts 53-Year Afternoon Alcohol Ban Ahead of Year-End Holiday Season
New six-month pilot permits continuous alcohol sales from late morning to midnight to support tourism and hospitality businesses
Thailand has officially lifted its long-standing ban on afternoon retail sales of alcoholic beverages, instituting a six-month trial that allows shops nationwide to legally sell alcohol from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.
The change, announced by the government in early December 2025, ends the decades-old prohibition that barred alcohol sales between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. — a restriction first imposed in 1972.
The amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act was published in the Royal Gazette and takes immediate effect; it applies across most retail outlets including convenience stores, supermarkets, and casual restaurants.
Under the new rules, licensed venues such as bars, hotels and nightclubs — which already enjoyed partial exemptions — may continue to serve drinks under their existing operating licenses, with most nightlife establishments permitted to operate into the early hours under separate licensing provisions.
Government officials framed the policy shift as an effort to stimulate the tourism and hospitality sectors ahead of the busy year-end holiday season.
Officials noted that the afternoon sales ban had long been seen as outdated, creating confusion for both locals and foreign visitors.
The hospitality industry had lobbied intensely for the reform, arguing the restriction hindered tourism-linked business — especially in popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
Public health authorities say the six-month trial period will allow the government to monitor the impact on alcohol-related harms such as drunk driving, under-age drinking and disturbances — with the possibility of rolling back the change if negative consequences emerge.
Meanwhile the hospitality sector, retailers and tourism operators welcomed the decision as a practical and timely measure to help boost visitor spending and support economic recovery.
The relaxation of alcohol-sale restrictions represents a significant shift in Thailand’s regulatory landscape.
By synchronising alcohol availability with modern tourism patterns and consumer behaviour, the government aims to modernise its approach while balancing economic and social considerations as the country moves into a critical travel season.
Stakeholders in both the public-health and business arenas will closely watch the results of the trial, which may determine whether the change becomes permanent or requires modification.
The change, announced by the government in early December 2025, ends the decades-old prohibition that barred alcohol sales between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. — a restriction first imposed in 1972.
The amendment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act was published in the Royal Gazette and takes immediate effect; it applies across most retail outlets including convenience stores, supermarkets, and casual restaurants.
Under the new rules, licensed venues such as bars, hotels and nightclubs — which already enjoyed partial exemptions — may continue to serve drinks under their existing operating licenses, with most nightlife establishments permitted to operate into the early hours under separate licensing provisions.
Government officials framed the policy shift as an effort to stimulate the tourism and hospitality sectors ahead of the busy year-end holiday season.
Officials noted that the afternoon sales ban had long been seen as outdated, creating confusion for both locals and foreign visitors.
The hospitality industry had lobbied intensely for the reform, arguing the restriction hindered tourism-linked business — especially in popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
Public health authorities say the six-month trial period will allow the government to monitor the impact on alcohol-related harms such as drunk driving, under-age drinking and disturbances — with the possibility of rolling back the change if negative consequences emerge.
Meanwhile the hospitality sector, retailers and tourism operators welcomed the decision as a practical and timely measure to help boost visitor spending and support economic recovery.
The relaxation of alcohol-sale restrictions represents a significant shift in Thailand’s regulatory landscape.
By synchronising alcohol availability with modern tourism patterns and consumer behaviour, the government aims to modernise its approach while balancing economic and social considerations as the country moves into a critical travel season.
Stakeholders in both the public-health and business arenas will closely watch the results of the trial, which may determine whether the change becomes permanent or requires modification.
