Thailand Lifts Decades-Old Ban on Afternoon Alcohol Sales in Six-Month Trial

Thailand has eased one of its long-standing alcohol restrictions, allowing the sale of beer, wine, and spirits during previously prohibited afternoon hours as part of a six-month trial aimed at modernizing the country’s alcohol regulations.

The predominantly Buddhist nation—known for its vibrant nightlife yet governed by strict moral codes—traditionally limits alcohol sales to specific time windows and bans them entirely on major religious holidays. For decades, vendors were barred from selling alcohol between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., a policy originally implemented to prevent government workers from drinking during office hours and one that often puzzled tourists.

Under the new trial rules, establishments can now sell alcohol from 11:00 a.m. to midnight, while a government committee evaluates the social and economic effects of the change.

“It’s a different time now,” Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram said last month as officials reviewed the decades-old afternoon ban, noting that the concerns that shaped the original policy no longer reflect modern working habits.

Health Minister Pattana Promphat echoed this view, calling the decision “appropriate to the present situation,” according to the Royal Gazette announcement published on Tuesday.

Despite its global reputation as a tourism and nightlife destination, Thailand’s alcohol laws remain influenced by Buddhist teachings, which regard drinking as a moral lapse. Yet the country consistently ranks among Asia’s highest in alcohol consumption, with popular local brews such as Chang, Singha, and Leo frequently topping the list.

Public health and safety concerns also loom large. WHO data shows Thailand ranked 16th globally for road traffic deaths per capita in 2021. Between 2019 and 2023, nearly 33,000 deaths in the country were linked to drunk driving, according to the Ministry of Public Health.