New Thai Law: Drink Beer at the Wrong Time, Pay $300

Starting from November 8, anyone caught drinking alcohol in restaurants outside the permitted hours could face a fine of up to 300 USD. According to the new rule, not only sellers but also consumers can be penalized. Those found drinking alcohol outside legal hours (11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5 p.m.–midnight) may be fined up to 10,000 baht (around 300 USD).

Thailand’s new Alcohol Control Act, which took effect on November 8, has raised concerns among the tourism and entertainment industries about its potential impact on recovery efforts. The measure has drawn criticism from both locals and international media, with several outlets warning tourists to be cautious when visiting Thailand. The news quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread reactions from international communities and business sectors.

Entertainment venues and restaurants in major tourist destinations argue that the new law could hinder post-pandemic economic recovery. Many business owners pointed out that even customers who buy drinks before the restricted hours could still be fined if they continue drinking a few minutes past the cutoff.

“It’s a counterproductive law,” said one restaurant owner, adding that although there are exceptions for hotel and international airport areas, penalizing regular diners could discourage tourists. Tourism representatives also worry that the new rule may hurt the upcoming festive high season and slow down the country’s tourism rebound.

Many foreign travelers have taken to social media and news comment sections to criticize the law, calling it unreasonable and restrictive. Some even stated they would avoid visiting Thailand and instead choose nearby countries with more relaxed policies.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Public Health to review the regulation, aiming to remove area restrictions and extend alcohol service hours to 4 a.m. nationwide. He also mentioned that the government plans to revise current alcohol sale limits, with the goal of completing the changes by January 2026.

Under a previous 2023 rule, entertainment venues in Bangkok, Phuket, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui (Surat Thani) were allowed to operate until 4 a.m., but the registration and compliance processes have remained complicated.

The government believes that extending alcohol sale hours will boost tourism consumption and nightlife spending, potentially generating hundreds of billions of baht in VAT revenue. The Ministry of Interior will soon manage new business registrations to ensure that licensed venues can legally sell alcohol during the extended hours.

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