Thai pubs and restaurants to extend hours and implement sobering-up areas

The National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee recently decreed that pubs and restaurants, which will extend their operating hours until 4am starting from December 15, must establish sobering-up areas and take measures to prevent intoxicated customers from driving. This announcement was made by Santi Promphat, the Deputy Minister of Public Health.

The committee’s meeting, led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, resulted in the decision to extend the operating hours of entertainment venues in several locations including Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Bangkok, and Surat Thani (specifically on Koh Samui). This is in line with a government policy designed to stimulate the economy. Moreover, the policy revision extends to hotels across the country.

Nightlife establishments are mandated to strictly adhere to regulations, especially the Entertainment Place Act and Section 29 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. These laws prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages to individuals below 20 years old.

Santi further explained that venue operators are required to administer breathalyser tests to customers intending to drink and drive. Establishments are also required to provide a space for drivers with blood alcohol levels exceeding the legal limit of 50 milligrammes per decilitre to sober up, reported Bangkok Post.

He clarified that customers should remain in these designated areas until they are fit to drive. If customers opt not to wait, the venue operators are obligated to contact their friends or relatives to drive them home or provide transportation for them at the customers’ expense.

An impact assessment will be conducted by various agencies to evaluate the effects of the extended operating hours.

Santi stressed the importance of not driving under the influence during the upcoming New Year’s festival and reiterated the need for businesses to comply with the law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to individuals under 20 years old. He announced that alcohol can be sold from 11am to 2pm and again from 5pm to 12am.

Santi urged families to monitor their children to prevent drunk driving incidents. He also indicated that the number of checkpoints will increase to monitor motorists.

He highlighted that during the seven dangerous days of the previous year, there were 2,440 road accidents with 317 fatalities and 2,437 injuries. Drunk driving was identified as the second leading cause of these accidents, representing 25.49% of all incidents.