Thailand has repealed its long-standing rule that barred restaurants from selling alcohol between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The restriction, first introduced in 1972, will officially be lifted 60 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette.
The change applies only to restaurants. Convenience stores and supermarkets remain bound by the country’s standard legal sale windows: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to midnight. Hotels, international airports, and licensed entertainment venues continue to be exempt from those limits.
Officials say the adjustment is aimed at enhancing the dining and tourism experience, allowing visitors to enjoy drinks during the afternoon without interruption. But the move has raised concerns about public safety.
Thailand lifts its decades-old afternoon alcohol ban
Thailand records around 20,000 road traffic deaths each year, one of the highest rates in the world. Alcohol is a leading factor, particularly during major holiday periods. At New Year and Songkran, police report sharp spikes in drunk-driving violations and alcohol-related crashes.
International comparisons underscore the risks. In Sydney, Australia, alcohol-related assaults rose significantly when late-night sales were extended in the 2000s. When restrictions were reintroduced in 2014, violent incidents dropped by more than 20 percent. In the United Kingdom, the shift to 24-hour pub licensing in 2005 was followed by higher levels of night-time violence and public disorder.
For Thailand’s tourist hubs, easier daytime access to alcohol could encourage longer drinking sessions that roll into the night. That raises the likelihood of street arguments, clashes with locals and expats, and more dangers on the roads.
Authorities stress that enforcement of existing laws—including drunk-driving checks—will continue. Public-safety experts say stronger policing, safer transport options, and community awareness campaigns will be critical to ensuring the new rules do not compromise Thailand’s tourism image or quality of life.
