In an important development for the craft beer sector in Thailand, the Thai cabinet has approved removing certain restrictions on breweries making it easier for them to set up, operate, and sell their beers in kegs nationwide

On 13 May 2025, the Thai Minister of Finance, Phophoom Rojansakul, announced that the Thai Cabinet has approved in principle amendments to the Liquor Production Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2565, proposed in a draft regulation by the Excise Department. The amendments will significantly open up opportunities for craft brewers in Thailand by making it easier for them to operate and allowing the sale of beer beyond their immediate local community in kegs.

The new legislation will ease restrictions on liquor production in three key areas. First, breweries, brewpubs, draft beer and craft beer producers will no longer be restricted to selling beer only at their production sites or in their respective provinces but will be able to use Excise Department approved keg barrels for the sale of their product throughout the country.

Second, the requirement that the location of liquor production facilities must be more than 100 metres from public water sources will be lifted on condition that a waste-water treatment system is used that does not pollute the environment.

Third, the requirement for breweries to operate as a medium-sized operation only after it has done so for one year of running as a small industrial operation will be removed. Nor will they need to have held a small operation liquor production licence for at least one year before they can receive one for medium-sized plants.

The new amendments will now undergo final formalities of drafting and approval before being gazetted, at which time they will become law.