National —
On December 25th, 2024, the Royal Gazette published an announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister on the revised prohibition of alcohol sales for 2024 and forward. The update aims to reflect current circumstances.
Under the authority of Sections 4 and 28 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act 2008, the Prime Minister, following advice from the National Alcohol Policy Committee, issued the following directives:
- The new regulations take effect immediately after publication in the Royal Gazette.
- The previous prohibition announcement, dated February 5th, 2015, is repealed.
- Alcohol sales are banned on Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Asalha Bucha Day, Buddhist Lent Day, and the End of Buddhist Lent Day, except within designated international airport terminals.
TPN media notes that this is basically more of an administrative change as during the period of rule of Prayut Chan’O Cha and the military junta the end of Buddhist lent was added as an additional alcohol ban day, but was done under regulatory measures. With the Royal Gazette updating these dates, they become official.
The tentative but likely certain dates for alcohol sale bans in 2025, which also means all bars and entertainment venues will close, are:
Wednesday, February 12th-Makha Bucha
Sunday, May 11th-Visakha Bucha Day. Public Holiday, but no alcohol ban, Monday May 12th.
July 10th and 11th, Thursday and Friday, Asalha Bucha and Start of Buddhist Lent
Tuesday, October 7th-End of Buddhist Lent.
Alcohol sale bans also take place on election days by Thai law. There are no national elections set for 2025, however, there will be multiple provincial and regional elections which lead to alcohol bans for those voting areas. Any directly affecting our main market areas will be posted in advance closer to election days.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
