Ban on sale of alcoholic drinks in the afternoon to be reviewed following industry lobbying
Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered a review into lifting the 53-year-old ban on selling alcoholic beverages between 2:00pm and 5:00pm given its potential negative impact on tourism.
The move follows lobbying from various industry parties. Craft brewing and alcoholic beverage trade associations have called on the Thai government to lift the ban arguing that the prohibition is outdated. According to Kawee Sakawee, chairman of the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (Tabba), when the ban was originally introduced in 1972 it was to discourage government workers from drinking alcohol while working in the afternoon, but is now having a more substantial impact on potential tourism revenues.
“While Thai people might be familiar with the ban and have no problems with buying alcohol outside of the prohibited period, foreigners visiting Thailand might not be prepared to compromise on their relaxation time upon arriving here,” says Kawee.
Craft brewers will also likely enjoy more sales from removing the restriction. “If the government decides to lift the ban now, not only hotels and large restaurants will benefit, but also the many small eateries and bars,” said Praphawi Hemathat, secretary-general to the Craft Beer Trade Association (Thailand).
A recent study has found that European tourists who visit a country in Asia typically set aside about US$250 per person for food and beverages per day. If Thailand lifts the alcohol sales ban, the country would likely be able to earn more tourist dollars from that budget, according to Kawee.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, also recommends that the ban be lifted, noting that the association continues to receive many complaints from hotel guests over the alcohol sales ban. “The government’s policy and campaigns for attracting more tourists into the country deserve credit, but outdated regulations which are no longer practical or suitable to the current social context, such as the 2-5pm alcohol sales ban, should be cancelled,” he says.
Calls for change are coming at a time when the nation’s alcohol laws are under scrutiny. A bill amending and easing the alcohol beverages control law is in line to enter its second and third readings in the Thai House of Representatives. The draft amendment has already been scrutinised and approved by the House’s special committee vetting it.
