Thailand has temporarily lifted a decades-old ban on afternoon alcohol sales as part of a direct effort to boost tourism. The six-month trial will allow liquor stores, restaurants, and accredited venues to sell beer, wine, and spirits between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for the next 180 days.
The ban, originally introduced in 1972 to prevent government employees from drinking during work hours, had long been a point of confusion and frustration for tourists in a country otherwise known for its vibrant nightlife.
Under the new temporary rules, alcohol sales are permitted from 11:00 a.m. to midnight while a government committee studies the social and economic impact.
The change comes just ahead of the peak Christmas and New Year holiday season. Previously, venues caught selling alcohol during the prohibited afternoon hours faced fines of up to 10,000 baht (£235; $313).
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who took office in September, has pledged to revive the country’s tourism sector to help jumpstart an economy slowed by years of political uncertainty.
“In the past, there were concerns that government employees would sneak out to drink, but it’s a different time now,” Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram told reporters last month, according to AFP.
Thailand reports some of the highest alcohol consumption rates in Asia, according to the World Health Organization, and local beers like Chang and Singha remain widely popular. The trial is seen as a practical step to align regulations with modern tourism habits and international visitor expectations.
By James Kisoo
