Alcohol

  • Pattaya News

    Man slashes Pattaya shop owner with knife after being refused alcohol on credit

    A man has been arrested after allegedly using a knife to attack a Pattaya shop owner who refused to provide him with alcohol on credit. Police in the Banglamung district were called to the premises in Soi Chaiyapruek 2, according to a report in The Pattaya News. There, they found shop owner, 24 year old Mr Surachai, with knife wounds…

  • Thailand News

    “It’s a misunderstanding” – alcohol watchdog following 50,000 baht penalty rumour

    Alcohol opposition groups have rushed to deny a rumour circulating online that merely posting a photo of beer or using the word “beer” online could result in a 50,000 baht fine. The “fake news” started doing the rounds after a beer delivery company announced it had been fined for violating Thailand’s Alcohol Control Act. Chuwit Jantharot from The Prevention Network…

  • Thailand News

    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 News

    Pattaya’s bars desperate to reopen

    The Covid-19 pandemic has hit Pattaya’s bar owners terribly. Some among the 10 in Soi Wong Amat, aka Soi Na Klua 18, have packed up and gone. The remainder are desperate for the government to ease restrictions on them opening. There is still rent to pay, accommodation and food for staff and utilities. They don’t want to abandon their employees. 2…

  • Covid-19 News

    Bars, massage parlours may be be allowed to reopen in Phase 4

    Drinking at a bar and a massage at some of the country’s larger massage parlour may become possible again in Phase 4 of the lifting of restrictions, originally enacted to contain the spread of Covid-19. Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration spokesman Dr. Taweesilp Wisanuyothin says that such venues are being considered for the fourth phase of reopening, as no local…

  • Covid-19 News

    Bangkok officials conduct spot checks on 200 shopping centres and retailers

    Following the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, officials in Bangkok are carrying out inspections on shopping malls, shops and restaurants to ensure the guidelines governing the “new normal” are being adhered to. Nation Thailand reports that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has assigned officers to conduct the checks across 50 districts in the capital. They will be checking that adequate social…

  • Pattaya News

    6 arrests after attack on Pattaya shop owner and family for refusing to sell alcohol – VIDEO

    Six curfew-breakers have been arrested for allegedly attacking a Pattaya shop owner and his family, as well as damage to their business and car, on Saturday night. The shop owner had refused to sell the perpetrators alcohol as it was after the curfew, with a further ban on alcohol sales after 6pm in Chon Buri province. The Pattaya News reports…

  • Covid-19 News

    Pattaya shopkeeper and family attacked after refusing to sell alcohol to curfew breakers

    A Pattaya shop-owner and his family have been left shaken after an attack by a group of curfew breakers, apparently angry that they weren’t able to buy alcohol. The Pattaya News reports that the 19 year old daughter of the shopkeeper, Thipthida Chaisat, says around 10 young Thai males, who appeared very drunk, arrived at her father’s shop in the…

  • Covid-19 News

    Lifting of alcohol ban sees resurgence in road carnage

    With the alcohol ban lifted the carnage has resumed on Thailand’s roads. The national alcohol ban was lifted in all 76 of Thailand’s provinces, plus Bangkok, last Sunday. The sale and transport of alcohol was banned as part of the national state of emergency in order to stop people drinking and socialising during the Covid-19 crisis. A predictable, and welcome,…

  • Thailand News

    Visakha Bucha Day, Buddhist holiday – alcohol ban today

    Today is a public holiday in Thailand to mark Visakha Bucha Day, the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating three defining events in the life of the Lord Buddha; his birth, attaining enlightenment at 35 years old, and then his death 45 years later, which all occurred on the full-moon day of the sixth lunar month. Visakha Bucha…

  • Covid-19 News

    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…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today – Monday, May 4

    Coronation Day in Thailand Today is the first anniversary since HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne and became the tenth king of the Chakri dynasty. Last year’s ceremonies were held between May 2 – 4 with the actual coronation of the new King happening on the third day. One thing Thailand does particularly well is grand ceremony and HM’s…

  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand re-opens its doors tomorrow

    Thailand springs back to life tomorrow (Sunday) with the alcohol sales ban being lifted and a raft of shops and services allowed to re-open, but under strict guidelines. Expect a lot of taking of temperatures, hand sanitisers at the entry of all shops, and the need to adhere to social distancing guidelines and the wearing of face masks. The list…

  • Covid-19 News

    National alcohol ban to be lifted from Sunday, May 3

    In a surprise turn-around, after extending the national alcohol ban from yesterday for another month, the CSSA have announced that they are revoking the national ban on alcohol sales from this Sunday. But the provisions say that the alcohol can only be bought and must be taken away for consumption at home. You may not consume alcohol at restaurants. There…

  • Covid-19 News

    Alcohol ban now national, extended until further notice

    Alcohol sales are officially banned nationwide as of today, by order of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Permanent Secretary for the Interior Chatchai Promlert made the announcement yesterday. Previously, the decision to ban sales and transport of alcohol rested with provincial governors, all 76 of whom enacted the prohibition, which expired last night. The ban is now a national…

  • Covid-19 News

    Booze ban extended as some businesses allowed to reopen

    Although some businesses will be allowed to reopen in some locations as of Sunday, a government spokesman has today confirmed that the ban on alcohol sales will remain in place until further notice. While there is no national order banning alcohol sales, all 77 provinces have done so and have now been ordered by PM Prayut Chan-ocha to keep all…

  • Covid-19 News

    Possible two day ‘window’ to purchase alcohol before bans re-imposed

    You may be able to purchase alcohol again. But you’ll have to be quick. A short 2 day window for alcohol sales is being considered by the CSSA. The current alcohol ban on sales has a sunset clause of tomorrow night (Thursday). But the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration yesterday discussed that the ban could be renewed again starting from…

  • Covid-19 News

    Alcohol industry asks PM to lift booze ban nationwide

    Thailand’s alcohol industry is banding together to ask PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to lift the ban on alcohol sales, imposed as part of the national state of emergency to halt the spread of Covid-19. Alcohol-industry organisations, led by the Thai Fruit Wine and the Local Spirit Producer Association, the Thailand Bartender Association and Thai Wine Association, have made their case to…

  • Covid-19 News

    What does the extension of the Emergency Decree mean?

    The Covid-19 Centre for Situation Administration announced today that the Emergency Decree for Thailand will be extended, although it technically will not be official until announced in official channels. The announcement has caused many to believe the extension means that nearly all businesses must remain closed and all current restrictions, such as closures of public spaces and beaches, will not…

  • Covid-19 News

    Bangkok alcohol sales ban extended to April 30

    The ban on alcohol sales in Bangkok will be extended for another 10 days. Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang announced has announced today that the Infectious Disease Control Committee has approved and agreed on an extension of the alcohol ban until April 30. The entertainment businesses will also be ordered to stay shut until the end of the month, this is…

  • Covid-19 News

    13 foreigners among those arrested at Pattaya pool party

    Police in Pattaya yesterday arrested a group, including 13 foreigners, having what they described as a pool party at the Momento Beach Resort in Pattaya. The announcement was made through the police department’s social media channels last night. The seaside resort town has been under near-total lockdown since April 9, a situation expected to continue until at least April 30.…

  • Covid-19 News

    When will Thailand’s booze bans end?

    Though there has been no national ban on alcohol sales, all 77 of Thailand’s provincial governors have banned booze in their efforts to slow the spread of Covid-19. Many people have now long run down their pre-ban panic-buying stash. There have also been reports of alcohol dependent residents coming to the surface seeking medical help. Bangkok and Chiang Mai both began…

  • Thai Life

    Up to 100,000 Thais at risk from alcohol-related ‘withdrawals’ during national ban

    Yesterday experts announced that up to 100,000 Thais who have become seriously dependent on alcohol are at risk during the nationwide booze ban. The ban on alcohol sales was imposed in order to minimise large gatherings and also to curb coronavirus related infection risks, especially during the traditional Songkran celebrations. According to the director of Centre for Alcohol Studies at…

  • Crime News

    Drunken man incinerates ATM after running out of alcohol

    Last night around 10pm a drunk man, apparently desperate to get more alcohol, became angry and aggressive, whereupon he decided to incinerate an ATM machine hoping that it was going to explode and rain cash, or alcohol, in Rayong, south east of Bangkok. General Montree Yimyam along with officials from the Rotong Police Station, arrested the man, later revealed as…

  • Northern Thailand News

    4 teenagers violate the order not to celebrate Songkran outside

    Under the emergency decree that has been announced by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, it has been confirmed that Songkran (the traditional Thai new year festival) is officially postponed this year to lessen the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. However, 4 teenagers defying the emergency decree was arrested in Roi Et province, far north-eastern Thailand, after live broadcasting their water wars. The…

  • Covid-19 News

    Alcohol Ban in Phuket, from today (Saturday)

    The Phuket Governor has issued an order number 1943/2563 which was signed yesterday on April 10. The new order bans alcohol sales in another preventative measure to combat the island’s Covid-19 infection rate. The order is in effect from today, Saturday, April 11, 2020, until further notice. Anyone who breaks the order will be liable to a fine of 100,000…

  • Covid-19 News

    Bangkok bans booze April 10-20

    All sales of alcohol will be banned in Bangkok starting tomorrow until April 20. Police made the announcement this afternoon at the Covid 19 Disease Management Centre in Bangkok. The stated reason for the ban is to encourage social distancing and stop the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. However, many netizens have already commented that it follows similar moves in…

  • Covid-19 News

    Police say most Chiang Mai curfew violators drunk

    More than 250 people have been arrested in Chiang Mai province since the national state of emergency was enacted on April 3 to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, after breaking its subsequent curfew. Police say most were drunk. Another 43 people were arrested overnight on Tuesday for violating curfew. Police report that amongst those arrested, 2 were in…

  • Covid-19 News

    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…

  • Events

    Alcohol sales ban in Thailand Sunday, October 13

    A 24 hour alcohol sales ban is on for this Sunday, October 13. The day marks the end of Buddhist Lent and also coincides with the third anniversary of the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thailand’s revered and long-serving monarch. The ban will last from Midnight Saturday night until Midnight Sunday Night, a total of 24 hours. The ban is…

  • Events

    PM urges Thais to quit drinking for the End of Buddhist Lent

    The Thai PM is urging people to refrain from ‘temptations’ for the good of their health and family life, including drinking alcohol. He was participating in a promotion for an alcohol-free End of Buddhist Lent (which occurs on Sunday). Prior to yesterday’s Cabinet’s meeting, the PM Prayut Chan-o-cha joined in a promotional activity for the Ministry of Culture’s End of…

  • Health

    Thailand by numbers

    The National Economics and Social Development Council have prepared some snapshot infographics which provide a window into Thai society at the moment. The stats have been prepared from information relating to Q2 this year. Key facts are… • Thai people reading more than they were four years ago • People are moving away from the agricultural sector and into blue…

  • Tourism News

    Bars and clubs in Thailand open until 4.00am? Not everyone is in favour

    PHOTO: Hotels.com Some academics oppose the Tourism and Sports Minister’s idea to allow entertainment venues to remain open until 4.00am. Udomsak Saengow of the Centre for Alcohol Studies is one of those suggesting that more research is needed before such a move. “Civic groups have worked hard to limit access to alcohol and they succeeded in lobbying for shortening the…

  • Health

    Thai anti-alcohol campaigners demand stricter controls on underage drinking

    PHOTO: “Don’t allow the children in the pubs!” – The Nation Anti-alcohol campaigners and youth networks, are calling on Metropolitan Police to check on shops in Bang Sue district’s Soi Wongsawang 11 that are allegedly selling alcohol to youth under the age of 20 in a location adjacent to an educational institution. The group, led by Alcohol Watch coordinator Khamron…

  • Health

    Ban on alcohol sales and consumption for Visakha Bucha Day

    The Royal Thai police remind us that today is a sacred Buddhist holiday and there will be no alcohol sales throughout the country. The ban for Visakha Bucha Day is in place for 24 hours from midnight last night (Friday) to midnight tonight (Saturday). People caught selling alcohol are liable to a 10,000 baht fine and six months in jail. The holiday…

  • Thailand Election News

    Ban on alcohol for 24 hours, starts today at 6pm

    Thais go to the polls tomorrow (Sunday) for the first time since 2011, which also means there will be a 24 hour alcohol ban this weekend, starting this evening. Alcohol sales and distribution will be forbidden from 6pm on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday. Officials say weddings, parties and other celebrations can still be organised for these dates but there…

  • Thailand News

    Government considers blanket alcohol bans on April 13

    There’s a 24 hour ban on alcohol on the weekend preceding AND the actual election weekend this month. And next month is Songkran with the Government mooting possible blanket bans on Songkran day, April 13. This year the Government says they want an alcohol ban on the biggest annual holiday for Thais. It’s also part of the week when there…