The amended Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which took effect on Nov 8, says individuals can be fined B10,000 or more for drinking or being served alcoholic beverages during prohibited times or in prohibited places, reports the Bangkok Post.
The new rule does not specify the times but makes reference to a government announcement issued on June 23, which reiterated that permitted sale hours are between 11am and 2pm and between 5pm and midnight. Exceptions are made for international airports, licensed entertainment venues and hotels.
The change has taken many people by surprise, as they believed the new law was going to take a more liberal approach. There was also a widespread belief that the ban on afternoon sales was going to be scrapped.
Thailand has banned most retail outlets and supermarkets from selling alcohol between the hours of 2pm and 5pm since 1972. That rule originated as a decree by a coup regime, and has finally been repealed in the new Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.
However, a Prime Minister’s Office regulation issued with the 2008 Alcoholic Beverage Control Act outlines the same prohibited sales hours and they remain unchanged in the new law.
This means that customers at regular restaurants who might order alcoholic beverages in the daytime must finish them or stop drinking before 2pm. In theory, a person could order a drink at 1.59pm but if they are still drinking it at 2.01pm, they could be fined.
“The amended rules have caused confusion among people, especially foreign tourists, who might not be familiar with such regulations,” Mr Siripong said.
He said that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has discussed the issue with Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat, whose ministry oversees alcohol regulation.
Mr Pattana said the ministry’s alcohol policy committee would address the issue tomorrow and clarifications should be issued by Dec 4, according to Mr Siripong.
Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, an MP from the opposition People’s Party and longtime proponent of liquor market liberalisation, said many people were concerned about the changes in the law.
The regulation could result in health issues as some people might rush their drinking, being afraid of being fined, which could lead to heavy intoxication and unexpected incidents, he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
To prevent this, “drinkers must be very mindful, order moderately and always keep track of time”, Mr Taopiphop said.
If the regulation proves problematic, a subordinate law could be issued to ease it, or the banned selling hours could be lifted entirely, he said.
This would depend on the prime minister and on the decisions of the alcohol policy committee, he added.
Mr Taopiphop said he and his party support 24-hour alcohol sales if they are accompanied by sufficient public education and government measures to prevent any potential problems.