Thailand's House of Representatives has passed a bill to ease restrictions on alcohol sales and advertising, a move that is expected to boost tourism and support small-scale alcohol producers. The bill must be approved by the Senate before it can take effect.
One of the key changes in the bill is the repeal of the ban on alcohol sales before 11 a.m. and between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., which was imposed in 1972 to prevent public employees from drinking on the job. It also proposes loosening strict regulations on alcohol advertising, which currently prohibits displaying product names or images for promotional purposes, making it difficult for small businesses to increase brand recognition.
The ban on alcohol during office hours was enacted in Thailand in 1972 to prevent civil servants from drinking alcohol during working hours.
The amendments are aimed at loosening “unreasonable controls” to stimulate economic activity, said lawmaker Chanin Rungtanakiat, deputy chairman of the House committee overseeing the bill. Easing regulations on alcohol sales hours could generate more than 50 billion baht (about $1.5 billion) in direct economic activity from both foreign tourists and local consumers in a year.
The move comes as Thailand seeks to boost its appeal to tourists. The country has legalized marijuana and plans to legalize casinos. The government is also reviewing some alcohol restrictions that could hurt tourism, including a ban on alcohol sales on Buddhist holidays and online.
Lisa Hamilton, president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Association, said the ban on alcohol sales at certain times had caused confusion for both businesses and tourists. She stressed that lifting the restrictions would help businesses operate more smoothly and meet the needs of tourists.
However, the loosening of alcohol regulations also raises concerns about the negative impact on public health and social order. Lawmakers and authorities need to consider carefully to ensure that the economic stimulus does not affect the quality of life of the people.
The relaxation of alcohol regulations also raises concerns about negative impacts on public health and social order.
If passed by the Senate, the bill would come into effect in time for the upcoming Songkran festival, which runs from April 13 to 15, one of the biggest draws for tourists to Thailand. In 2024, the country welcomed 1.92 million foreign tourists during Songkran, up 37.5% from the previous year.
The easing of alcohol restrictions is an important step in Thailand’s strategy to boost tourism and the economy, but implementation needs to be closely monitored to ensure that the economic benefits do not come with negative social consequences.
