Good news for everyone who enjoys a cheeky afternoon drink (so… basically all of us on holiday): Thailand has just unbanned daytime booze after introducing stricker alcohol rules it only a few days earlier.
Yes, the famous “no drinks from 2 to 5 pm” rule came back… and then immediately went back into retirement. Classic Thailand, always keeps you guessing. Wonder how long the new stricker Tourist visa rules will last.
Starting in early December, Thailand will run a six-month pilot programme allowing alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm, Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat announced after what was apparently a very intense three-hour meeting. (I like to imagine it ended with, “Okay fine, let them have their beers.”)
This U-turn happened less than a week after the government tried to tighten up alcohol rules, which caused a massive outcry from bar owners, the tourism industry, and probably every sunburned tourist holding a coconut wondering why it couldn’t be a piña colada.
With the high tourist season coming and visitor numbers dropping in 2025, the government clearly realised that a thirsty tourist is not a happy tourist. And a happy tourist is a tourist who spends money which is pretty important for a country where tourism makes up about 20% of the economy.
So yes, you can now sip your Chang, your Singha, or your suspiciously-strong bucket cocktail at 3pm again. And no more lines at 4:55 at the local Pattaya 7-11 to get that cold beer exactly at 5pm 🙂
Thailand’s nightlife may be legendary… but now the afternoons are back in the game too. Cheers! 🥂
