PUBLISHED : 13 Nov 2025 at 07:19
The Thai Restaurant Association is worried about the new alcohol law, especially the regulation that bans customers from consuming alcoholic beverages in restaurants during prohibited hours.
Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, said members have expressed concern over new amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Act as they are uncertain whether they could face fines under the new rules. So far no members have reported fines.
She said the controversial Section 32 of the law is not suited to the country’s position as a tourism destination.
Section 32 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2025 prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages during banned periods in any venue where alcohol is sold, or any place or area where commercial services for alcoholic beverage consumption are allowed. The new law went into effect on Nov 8.
Under another law, the sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted to specific periods: from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to midnight. This means even if consumers bought alcoholic beverages in a restaurant before 2pm, they would need to consume them outside the establishment from 2pm to 5pm.
Section 37/1 states violations of Section 32 can be fined up to 10,000 baht. The rule does not apply to international airports, registered entertainment venues and registered hotels.
Sathien Sathientham, chief executive of Carabao Group, said the law banning drinking in establishments during certain hours is outdated.
“It would be weird if a restaurant is open, a customer orders and enjoys drinks, then is told to stop drinking,” he said.
A group of associations submitted letters Tuesday to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul about concerns with the drinking ban during non-sales hours in the recently amended law. The new regulations add more obstacles for already struggling restaurants and hotels, noted the letters.
The private sector urged the government to promptly issue national guidelines to lift the current sales and consumption ban during restricted times.
They also called for comprehensive deregulation instead of targeting specific zones, and requested the government reconsider alcohol sales zoning.
The associations suggested lifting the online sales ban because it will support small businesses as well as craft and Otop products.