# Thailand lifts afternoon alcohol sales ban ahead of year-end holiday festivities

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/health/263334-thailand-lifts-afternoon-alcohol-sales-ban-ahead-of-year-end-holiday-festivities
- Published: 2025-12-04T13:55:06+07:00
- Author: Bahar Karaman

**Thailand lifts a 53-year-old afternoon alcohol sale ban on a 180-day trial, allowing
sales from 11 a.m. to midnight, amid concerns over drunk driving and enforcement
issues.**

Thailand has lifted its 53-year-old ban on the afternoon retail sale of alcohol,
a move aimed at boosting holiday tourism and nightlife business. The ban, which 
prevented sales from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., will be temporarily lifted for 180 days, 
allowing alcohol purchases from 11 a.m. to midnight, with drinking permitted until
1 a.m. in venues.

ADVERTISEMENT

This change comes despite concerns about potential increases in drunk driving. Historically,
the afternoon ban was enacted in 1972 under military rule, but its original purpose
is now unclear. Nowadays, alcohol sales have often operated in a gray area, with
inconsistent enforcement across regions.

### Related**Posts**

###  󠀁[Thailand to Tighten Oversight of App-Based Ride-Hailing Services](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/law/330996-thailand-to-tighten-oversight-of-app-based-ride-hailing-services)󠁿

###  󠀁[Thailand teams up with South Korean agencies to work on AI and protect copyrights](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/korea/327881-thailand-teams-up-with-south-korean-agencies-to-work-on-ai-and-protect-copyrights)󠁿

###  󠀁[TAT highlights “Healing is the New Luxury” at the Tourism Expo Japan 2026](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/health/331124-tat-highlights-healing-is-the-new-luxury-at-the-tourism-expo-japan-2026)󠁿

###  󠀁[Thailand is rolling out a new EV tax structure linked to local manufacturing](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/asean/329565-thailand-is-rolling-out-a-new-ev-tax-structure-linked-to-local-manufacturing)󠁿

Previously, alcohol sales were restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic to curb the
virus’s spread. Now, the government aims to revitalize the nightlife sector by adjusting
alcohol sales hours, marking a significant shift in Thai alcohol regulation policies.

**Source** : [Thailand lifts ban on afternoon alcohol sales in time for year-end holiday festivities](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/travel/thailand-alcohol-sales-ban-intl-hnk?rand=157030)