Stricter alcohol regulations are in place – tourists are also affected

The restaurant owner is angry

Travelers beware: Thailand has alcohol restrictions

New alcohol laws are in effect in Thailand: anyone drinking after midnight, for example, will be subject to a fine. The regulations drew strong criticism.

Anyone traveling to Thailand should now pay close attention to the clock when drinking. Beer after midnight could be a violation of the new alcohol law “Alcoholic Beverage Control Act” and subject those caught to hefty fines.

A stricter version of alcohol laws has been in effect in Thailand since November 9. If previously only the seller was responsible, now consumers are also responsible. Alcohol may only be consumed between 11am and 2pm. and between 5 p.m. and midnight. Anyone who continues drinking after midnight – even if the drink was ordered shortly beforehand – risks a fine of up to 10,000 baht (around 250 euros).

In addition to the alcohol ban, Thailand has also tightened advertising rules: even social media posts with visible alcohol logos can be considered illegal advertising.

This new law has serious consequences for the tourism industry in Thailand. Hotels, international departure lounges and licensed bars and clubs are exempt from this new era, but many small businesses will have to comply with the new rules – in the midst of the peak tourist season and at a time when Thailand is looking to further increase its tourism.

“It is not clear what the purpose of this law is,” Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, chairman of the Thai Restaurant Association, told The Straits Times newspaper. “Those who signed it may not have realized how much damage it would cause to the tourism and service industries.”

Restaurants, bars and shops now have to think about concepts to comply with the lunch ban, for example. To do this, they must now implement a fixed “last order” time to ensure there is no more alcohol on the table after 2pm. The dine-in ban also requires that not a single glass of alcohol be found on a restaurant table after midnight.

Prapawee Hemathas, Secretary General of the Craft Beer Trade Association explained:
“Operators are in limbo. They want to follow the law, but don’t know exactly how because clear implementing guidelines and regulations still don’t exist.”