Latest alcohol rules for Thailand

[Gaybutton]

As far as I can tell, almost nothing has changed. Those absurd alcohol sales hours are going to remain in place, but I haven't seen one word as to why. I liked what one commenter said in the article: "“Haha… close weed shops and extend alcohol hours… that’s the goal of the Thai alcohol lobby!”
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24-hour alcohol sales approved for airports, entertainment venues, and hotels

By Pattaya Mail

July 2, 2025

Thailand has officially relaxed its alcohol sale laws in key tourist zones, a move welcomed by the hospitality and tourism industries as the country looks to make life easier for visitors in major travel hubs like Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok.

According to a newly published announcement in the Royal Gazette from the Prime Minister’s Office, alcohol can now be sold around the clock in three types of locations: passenger service areas inside international airports, entertainment venues that are licensed under the Entertainment Act, and hotels registered under the Hotel Act. The revised regulation, signed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, came into effect on June 27, 2025.

This change replaces the more restrictive 2015 rules and follows recommendations from the National Alcohol Policy Committee. Officials said the update better aligns alcohol policy with today’s economic and social realities—particularly in support of Thailand’s tourism-driven economy and expanding service sector.

In Pattaya, where nightlife is central to the city’s appeal, many see this as a long-overdue update. Bar owners and hotel operators have long argued that international travelers expect 24-hour access in appropriate venues, and that outdated regulations were costing the city valuable revenue. By removing barriers in regulated spaces such as airports, hotels, and entertainment districts, the government hopes to improve the visitor experience without sacrificing oversight.

However, outside these exempted zones, alcohol sales across Thailand remain limited to the original hours of 11:00–14:00 and 17:00–24:00 daily.

The policy shift comes at a time when Thailand is repositioning itself to attract high-value tourism and improve its competitiveness globally. The ability to access basic hospitality services like drinks at hotels or lounges without being caught in a confusing web of time restrictions is seen as a basic step toward modernizing the country’s image among international travelers.

Online reactions to the move were as animated as ever. “Haha… close weed shops and extend alcohol hours… that’s the goal of the Thai alcohol lobby!” one commenter joked. Others saw it as a long-expected change: “That 3-hour ‘official’ closure between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. was ridiculous,” one said. “Exactly — I could bet it was already like that the last 5 years. Airport lounges, hotels, and entertainment venues always served alcohol anyway.”

Still, not everyone was optimistic. “All weed shops are still open, so why issue a control announcement that changes nothing? Just confusing competition, nothing else,” a skeptical voice added. Another dryly remarked, “Thailand needs alcoholic tourists! LOL.”

Some urged the government to look at the bigger picture. “We agree with easing alcohol laws — but the police need to actually enforce all laws. Otherwise, this is just another loophole.”

Whatever the view, one thing is certain: Pattaya and other tourist cities are adapting to new realities, glass half-full or not.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/24-hou ... els-507859

[Jun]

OK, so:
1 Standard sales hours are 11:00-14:00 & 17:00~24:00
2 Designated entertainment zones are now permitted to open 24 hours. I think the previous rules were from 11:00 to 2:00 am ?

Now for years, all the experts have been telling us Jomtien is not an entertainment zone (without providing any evidence).
As I understand, the Jomtien bars have been open until 2:00 am and some have been opening far longer, presumably with extra tea money.
So consistent with entertainment zone status.

So I imagine they will now be permitted to open for 24 hours ?

For me, this is unlikely to be an improvement.
I rarely stay out to 2:00 am, so would not be taking advantage of the hours.
Many bar boys do tend to stay out until 2:00 am and then quite a few of them don't go to bed immediately after the bar closes.
So we end up with boys whose body clock has them going to sleep at 5:00 am.

That's one of the main reasons why I'm doing hardly any long time offs these days. Why would I want a boy who is awake until 5:00 am and then sleeps all day, when I go to bed around 24:00 and will go to a coffee shop sometime between 8:30 and 10:00 am ?

Also, there are some boys out there who only seem to appear on the phone apps between 3:00 and 5:00 am. Some are quite cute, but with plenty more boys out there, it's not a big problem.

I hope the majority of the bars will still close at 2:00 am, although I guess it will be driven by demand ?

As it stands, many of the straight bars in Pattaya seem to open not long after 13:00. And they get customers. The gay bars don't seem to open or get customers until the evening. So bars don't necessarily make full use of the permitted hours ?

[SP55]

Now for years, all the experts have been telling us Jomtien is not an entertainment zone (without providing any evidence).
As I understand, the Jomtien bars have been open until 2:00 am and some have been opening far longer, presumably with extra tea money.

Ask any barowner in Jomtien complex to see their entertainment licenses. There, your little problem of lack of evidence solved...

[Gaybutton]

Designated entertainment zones are now permitted to open 24 hours.

If the venues are within designated entertainment zones and also licensed under Thailand's Entertainment Act. I have no idea which, if any, gay bars fall within either requirement, let alone both.

If any of "our" Pattaya bars meet the requirements, I doubt we'll see much change in the hours. I don't think there would be enough demand to warrant it. They might keep a daytime skeleton crew for those who like to drink during the day, but I don't foresee many bar boys during the day. Some bars may try it, but I don't think it would last very long.

However, Bangkok might be a different story.

Regarding designated entertainment zones, who does the designating?