Thai Law News
Thailand law news, court rulings, legal reforms, and criminal cases—stay updated on legislation changes, civil disputes, and key legal developments. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Thai law news.
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Viral sign outlines ID policy for applicants with changed appearance
A sign spotted at a national ID card service point caught attention online after it advised that people whose appearance has changed due to surgery or gender transition need to bring a witness when applying. The notice, which began circulating on social media today, December 22, was posted at an ID card service point, though the exact location was not…
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Thai court rules banks must prove credit card fraud, not customers
Thailand’s Supreme Court has ruled that banks, not customers, must prove who authorised disputed credit card transactions, setting a legal precedent that strengthens consumer protection against cyber scams. The case, Supreme Court ruling No. 2624/2568, began when a bank sued a customer over charges made on their credit card without the cardholder’s knowledge or consent. The customer denied making the…
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New alcohol rule: vendors banned from serving intoxicated customers
Thailand introduced a new regulation under the Alcohol Control Act, banning alcohol vendors from selling alcoholic beverages to customers who are already intoxicated. Following several revisions to the Alcohol Control Act over the past few months, the Craft Beer Trade Association used its official Facebook page yesterday, December 18, to explain the updated rules in simple terms to help business…
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Thai activist sentenced to 46 years for Facebook posts
Thai activist, Mongkol Thirakhot, or Busbas, has been sentenced to 46 years in prison by the Supreme Court for his social media posts. The final ruling was delivered yesterday, December 11, at Chiang Rai Provincial Court. Mongkol is a 32 year old former clothing seller turned political activist who is convicted under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as…
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Thailand begins 180-day trial lifting afternoon alcohol sales ban
Thailand officially launched its trial to lift the long-standing afternoon alcohol sales ban today, December 3, allowing alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm for the first time in decades. The trial will run for 180 days while officials assess the impact before making a permanent decision. Two weeks ago, Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Sarum revealed that the National Alcohol Policy…
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Thai Cabinet withdraws plan to add more public holidays in 2026
The Thai Cabinet has backtracked on a decision to add more public holidays in 2026, voicing concerns that extended breaks could negatively impact businesses and employment. Today, December 2, the Cabinet meeting reviewed a proposal from the Secretariat of the Cabinet suggesting the addition of two special public holidays in 2026. However, ministers raised concerns that more long weekends might…
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Thailand pushes anti-discrimination bill to promote equality
Thailand’s Justice Ministry is advancing its proposals for an anti-discrimination bill aimed at promoting equality nationwide. The ministry joined the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and the People’s Movement to Eliminate Discrimination (MovED) at a recent forum to discuss the draft law. Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat said supports the country’s constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human…
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Addressing the change in the alcohol laws in Thailand
Thailand’s alcohol regulations have long been a source of confusion for both tourists and residents. But as of late 2025, the Thai government has officially made adjustments to two key aspects of its alcohol policy. These changes mark a shift toward a more flexible and tourism-friendly approach, while still retaining Thailand’s broader public health framework. Here’s what’s new under the…
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New rules, same fun? Everything travellers need to know about Thailand’s new drinking laws
Alcohol can now be served in restaurants between 2pm to 5pm, but fines up to 10,000 baht apply if drinking outside legal hours. Most establishments already follow rules so it will be hard to break this law. Minimum drinking age is 20, with restrictions at temples, schools, hospitals, and on election days. Travellers can still enjoy Thailand’s nightlife by respecting…
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Thailand introduces new tax for vintage cars to boost tourism
The Excise Department has introduced a new tax for vintage cars and plans to allow them to operate on weekends and public holidays. Kulaya Tantitemit, Director General of the Excise Department, said the department supports the use of electric vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, under the EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 initiatives. These measures aim to position Thailand as a…
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Thai temples ordered to limit cash holdings amid monk scandal
Following a romantic scandal involving monks, the Sangha Supreme Council issued a regulation requiring every temple across Thailand to hold no more than 100,000 baht in cash. The regulation is expected to come into effect on October 1. The scandal, which involves a Thai woman named Golf and several respected monks, captured widespread public attention. In addition to focusing on…
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Thailand sets out stance on cyberspace laws
Thailand has released its national position on the Application of International Law in Cyberspace, confirming that human rights laws are applicable in cyberspace under international norms, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its Facebook page. The document is a result of national consultations involving several key agencies such as the Office of the Attorney General,…
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Alcohol act revamp: Thailand raises the bar on booze ads
The Thai Cabinet agreed to revise the Alcohol Beverage Control Act, allowing businesses to advertise their alcohol products and enabling the public to share pictures and videos of alcoholic beverages without legal punishment. The draft of the revised Alcohol Beverage Control Act was discussed during the Cabinet meeting yesterday, March 19. At the end of the meeting, 365 Parliament members…
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