Thailand’s afternoon alcohol ban lifted, effective immediately (for trial period of 180 days)
Pub customers given an extra hour to finish their drinks
Registered outlets can now sell alcoholic beverages during the previously banned period of 2pm to 5pm, with a one hour extension of time for customers in licensed premises at night to finish their drinks.
The new regulation took effect on Wednesday 3rd December 2025 after it was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday. It was signed by Public Health Minister Pattana Phrompat. He said that the recent changes are appropriate for the current situation.
The regulation extends the previously permitted hours for alcohol sales – 11am to 2pm and 5pm to midnight – removing the three-hour afternoon ban. The midnight close remains in effect, but customers on licensed premises are now allowed until 1am to finish their drinks.
The announcement allows for a trial period of 180 days. Alcohol control committees in Bangkok and other provinces are required to assess the impact of the change for further consideration.
Exceptions allowing sales outside the permitted times are made for international airports.
Thailand has banned most retail outlets and supermarkets from selling alcohol between the hours of 2pm and 5pm since 1972. That rule originated as a decree by a coup regime.
One reason given over the years was to prevent students buying alcohol after they finish school classes for the day.
The decision to end the ban was agreed to on Nov 13, aimed at stimulating tourism and economic activity during peak tourism periods such as New Year and Songkran.
While Thailand is known for its tourism and nightlife, its alcohol laws are influenced by Buddhist teachings that see drinking as a moral issue.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Thailand has some of the highest alcohol consumption rates in Asia.
In 2021, Thailand was ranked 16th among nearly 200 countries for road traffic deaths per capita, according to WHO data.
From 2019 to 2023, nearly 33,000 people died in drunk driving incidents in Thailand, according to Public Health Ministry figures.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3149315/afternoon-alcohol-ban-lifted-effective-immediately
