Thailand u-turns on afternoon booze ban after tourism backlash

[BANGKOK] Tourists and local residents will be able to enjoy their afternoon drinks again after Thailand reversed its alcohol ban just days after the restrictions took effect.

For a six-month period starting in early December, Thai authorities will allow the sale of alcoholic beverages between 2 pm and 5 pm as part of a pilot programme that could be extended beyond mid-2026, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat told reporters late on Thursday (Nov 13) after a three-hour meeting of the liquor control committee.

The reversal comes less than a week after the Thai government introduced stricter alcohol rules that triggered backlash from the tourism industry and bar owners.

While Thailand’s afternoon prohibition has been in place since 1972, it had long applied mainly to retail outlets until authorities sought to enforce it more broadly earlier this month.

The about-face came at a crucial time for Thailand’s tourism industry, which is seeking to attract more visitors during the holiday season following a slowdown in foreign arrivals this year.

Afternoon drinks may help revive spending in a sector that accounts for about one-fifth of the economy. BLOOMBERG