PUBLISHED: 11 Feb 2025 at 06: 01
Hotels and other establishments that sell alcohol on Monday demanded that the government pull the two-hour restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages between 2 and 5pm, claiming that the ban is unconstitutional.
These demands come as a bill to amend the laws governing beer consumption is about to pass its second and third observations in the House of Representatives. The House’s unique council has previously examined and approved the review amendment.
According to Kawee Sakawee Sakawee, the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association ( Tabba ), the 2pm to 5pm alcohol sale ban was put in place in 1972 to stop government employees from consuming alcohol while at work.
It’s about time to modify this more than five generation older oversight, he said.
Immigrants visiting Thailand might not be willing to compromise on their leisure time upon arriving here, Mr. Kawee said,” While Thai individuals may be familiar with the restrictions and have no issues buying booze outside of the prohibited period.
He claimed that the alcohol beverages economy pays about 150 billion ringgit in income to the government and generates about 600 billion baht annually in income.
Mr. Kawee expressed his full support for stringent regulation protection against driving while under the influence, which may help develop responsible drinkers in Thai culture, in response to concerns raised about the possibility of lifting the liquor sales ban, which might have bad effects, such as a rise in drink-driving incidents.
The Thai Hotels Association’s leader, Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, stated that the organization continues to receive numerous complaints from hotel guests regarding the liquor sales ban.
” The government’s policy and strategies for attracting more visitors into the country deserve credit, but archaic laws which are no longer useful or appropriate to the current social context, such as the 2-5pm alcohol selling ban, should be cancelled”, he said.
According to a study, European tourists who travel to Asian countries usually set off about US$ 250 (8, 475 baht ) per person for food and beverages each day. If Thailand lifts the liquor sales restrictions, the nation will have a better chance of earning more holiday money.
” Not only hotels and large restaurants will benefit, but also the numerous small eateries and bars,” said Praphawi Hemathat, Thailand’s Craft Beer Trade Association ( Thailand ).