alcohol sales

  • Thailand NewsHigh spirits: Thai airports toast Buddhist holidays with alcohol sales

    High spirits: Thai airports toast Buddhist holidays with alcohol sales

    The National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, yesterday convened its third meeting of 2024 at the Parliament Building, to discuss the recent decision to allow alcohol sales in Thailand’s six major airports on Buddhist holidays. The meeting saw the attendance of many key officials, including Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Dr…

  • Thailand NewsThailand considers alcohol ban lift to boost restaurant spirits

    Thailand considers alcohol ban lift to boost restaurant spirits

    The Government of Thailand is considering lifting the afternoon ban on alcohol sales to assist struggling restaurant operators amid an economic downturn. Representatives from the Restaurant Business Club submitted a letter to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, urging for measures to help restaurants survive the challenging economic climate. Restaurant operators highlighted rising operating costs and increasing prices of ingredients as major…

  • Thailand NewsThailand sobers up: Slams brakes on extended alcohol sales hours

    Thailand sobers up: Slams brakes on extended alcohol sales hours

    The Government of Thailand dashed hopes of extended alcohol sales hours, citing alarming statistics on road casualties and accidents. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin announced the decision following a tense panel meeting at the ministry on Tuesday, asserting that public safety must take precedence. “The ministry’s alcoholic beverage control committee reviewed road accident statistics and related legal implications, recognising the…

  • Phuket NewsPatong police increase beach patrols to curb illegal activities

    Patong police increase beach patrols to curb illegal activities

    Patong police and officials from Patong Municipality ramped up their patrols on Patong Beach to clamp down on violations such as the illegal sale of fireworks and night-time alcohol vending. The increased surveillance, which began on May 3 at 11pm, also seeks to enforce restrictions on the setting up of tables and chairs on the beach. The raid was directed by…

  • Thailand NewsSongkran sees more stringent alcohol sales regulations

    Songkran sees more stringent alcohol sales regulations

    In a bid to curb road accidents caused by drunk driving during the extended World Songkran Festival, which spans from April 1 to 21, the Public Health Ministry initiated stringent measures to control the sale of alcohol, particularly to minors. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew outlined the festival’s divisions: a preparatory stage running from April 1 to 10, the main…

  • Thailand NewsPour decisions: Thailand to splash health warnings on booze bottles

    Pour decisions: Thailand to splash health warnings on booze bottles

    The Thai government is in the process of developing a new regulation, requiring producers of alcoholic beverages to feature large, graphic health warnings on their products, much akin to those found on cigarette packaging. This move, orchestrated by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee and the Department of Disease Control, has sparked criticism from alcohol producers and the tourism industry, who…

  • Pattaya NewsThai MP proposes revision of strict alcohol control bill

    Thai MP proposes revision of strict alcohol control bill

    Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Thaophiphob Limchitrakorn proposed a revision of a stringent Alcohol Control bill concerning alcohol product advertising during a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday, January 10. Three versions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act were under scrutiny, including two public sector drafts and Thaophiphob’s draft. The first draft, supported by numerous anti-alcohol groups and labelled as Article 32…

  • Thailand NewsKhon Kaen: Closure of two pubs ordered by governor

    Khon Kaen: Closure of two pubs ordered by governor

    A pub in the Mueang district of Khon Kaen has been ordered to close for five years by Governor Kraison Thongchalart. The closure is to take effect from next Monday, January 8. The command came after the pub, named Suksant Khon Kaen, granted entry to a female minor. Somrak Kamsing, a former Olympian was allegedly found guilty of engaging in a…

  • Songkran NewsThailand’s alcoholic beverage sales jump by 30% during Songkran

    Thailand’s alcoholic beverage sales jump by 30% during Songkran

    Thailand certainly seems to have enjoyed itself after celebrating Songkran for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Thailand’s alcoholic beverage sales jumped by 30% during the Songkran holiday, according to Thanakorn Kuptachit, an advisor to the Thai Alcohol Business Association. Related businesses such as restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and event organisers, also got a boost from Songkran.…

  • Thailand NewsTABBA requests 4am closing time during festive season

    TABBA requests 4am closing time during festive season

    The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA) requested a 4am closing time trial for entertainment venues in nine tourist zones during the festive season. TABBA believe this would help businesses to attract more foreign tourists. TABBA advisor, Thanakorn Kuptajit, told Matichon that the association proposed two requests to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports department.…

  • World News“Drink more booze” Japan urges youth with new contest

    “Drink more booze” Japan urges youth with new contest

    Japan’s alcohol sales have gone way down since Covid-19 restrictions, and the government is desperate to bring them up again. Numbers show that Japan’s young drink quite significantly less than its old. While about 30% of people in their 40s to 60s drink regularly, only 7.8% of people in their 20s do. Meanwhile, sales at Japan’s pubs were cut in…

  • Covid-19 NewsRestrictions ease, 25 provinces reclassified as “yellow” zones

    Restrictions ease, 25 provinces reclassified as “yellow” zones

    Restrictions are easing in 25 provinces following a revision to the colour-coded zoning based on local infection rates. Starting January 24, those provinces will move from “orange” controlled zones to “yellow” zones under surveillance. In the “yellow” and “blue” zones, alcohol sales will be allowed until 11pm. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation decided to relax some measures today at its…

  • Crime NewsPhuket police arrest 32 after more than 3,500 venue raids since November

    Phuket police arrest 32 after more than 3,500 venue raids since November

    Phuket police say they have made 32 arrests after over 3,500 venue raids since November 1. The report released says those arrests were made in light of those breaking the provincial order of no alcohol sales and/or Covid regulations that prevent staff from having close contact with customers. The report says that last Saturday, alone, saw 142 venue inspections, resulting…

  • Bangkok NewsAlcohol sales at Bangkok restaurants allowed until 11pm starting Wednesday

    Alcohol sales at Bangkok restaurants allowed until 11pm starting Wednesday

    The cutoff time for alcohol sales at restaurants in Bangkok will be pushed from 9pm to 11pm. Governor Aswin Kwanmuang reportedly signed a provincial order allowing restaurants to serve booze until 11pm starting Wednesday, according to Thai media. Under the order, entertainment venues, such as bars and nightclubs, must remain closed until the end of the year. The order still…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket gets approval for all-nighter New Year’s Eve party

    Phuket gets approval for all-nighter New Year’s Eve party

    Phuket is approved to allow New Year’s Eve celebrations to go on all night, along with alcohol sales. The notice was issued yesterday that states alcohol sales would be extended on NYE, from 11pm-6am. The order says usually it is forbidden to sell alcohol during those times, but notes that December 31 is an exception. The Phuket governor signed the…

  • Covid-19 NewsEasing of alcohol restrictions hinges on Covid-19 infection and hospitalisation rate

    Easing of alcohol restrictions hinges on Covid-19 infection and hospitalisation rate

    The National Security Council says any easing of alcohol restrictions will depend on the Covid-19 situation. NSC boss Supoj Malaniyom adds that the 17 provinces open to tourists are likely to be the first to see nightlife permitted to return. According to a Bangkok Post report, the sale of alcohol in restaurants could also be extended, provided the Covid-19 situation…

  • Crime NewsPolice raid “Hippie Festival Samui,” arrest French musicians for allegedly working without a permit

    Police raid “Hippie Festival Samui,” arrest French musicians for allegedly working without a permit

    Police on Koh Samui broke up the “Hippie Festival Samui” at a restaurant on Lamai Beach and arrested 4 French musicians, who were performing at the event, for allegedly working without a work permit. The manager of the restaurant, 48 year old Kannika Thongreuang, was arrested for selling alcohol during hours when alcohol sales are prohibited. Around 100 Thai and…

  • Thailand NewsBooze ban in Thailand? Not for now.

    Booze ban in Thailand? Not for now.

    There’s not going to be a national booze ban. Well, not for now anyway. A Thai Government spokesperson has walked back rumours that an alcohol ban is about to be enforced around the country. Rumours of the ban on the sale and distribution of alcohol started circulating online last week on the back of the cluster of new cases that…

  • HealthOnline alcohol sales banned from today

    Online alcohol sales banned from today

    That ban on sales of alcohol online kicks in today. Announced 3 months ago, the actual ban starts from today. The Royal Thai Police and Public Health Ministry reminded us about the start of the new law on Friday, that prohibits the sale or advertising of alcoholic beverages through digital and social media channels. “From Monday, December 7, the sale…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand enters Phase 4 of re-opening, curfew lifted

    Thailand enters Phase 4 of re-opening, curfew lifted

    From today, 95% of Thailand’s businesses have been given permission to reopen as the country enters Phase 4 of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. However, nightlife establishments such as pubs, bars and karaoke venues remain closed, and the ban on international arrivals remains in force, with exceptions for repatriated Thais. and foreigners who hold work permits. The national curfew has…

  • Thailand NewsBeer delivery company hit with 50,000 baht fine for violating Alcohol Control Act

    Beer delivery company hit with 50,000 baht fine for violating Alcohol Control Act

    A craft beer delivery company says it’s been fined 50,000 baht for allegedly violating Thailand’s Alcohol Beverage Control Act. Posting on its Facebook page, Beervana says it wants to warn other companies and is also petitioning for the law to be abolished, claiming it’s hurting businesses that are already struggling during the Covid-19 crisis. Under the act, suppliers are forbidden…

  • Covid-19 NewsOfficials issue reminder of nationwide time restrictions on alcohol sales

    Officials issue reminder of nationwide time restrictions on alcohol sales

    With the alcohol ban having been lifted in all but a handful of provinces, government officials are warning retailers and consumers that the restrictions on what time alcohol can be sold still remain in place. It comes after one wholesaler in Nonthaburi, just outside Bangkok, was found to be selling alcohol outside of the legally authorised hours of 11am – 2pm…

  • Covid-19 NewsChon Buri bans alcohol sales 6pm to 6am

    Chon Buri bans alcohol sales 6pm to 6am

    Chonburi’s governor has banned the sale of alcohol in the province, including Pattaya, from 6am to 6pm, effective immediately, and restaurants are now only allowed to offer takeaways – all to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. The order is over and above all other closures in the province over the past two weeks. The provisions of the order…