Imagine sitting in a bar in Thailand on a sunny afternoon and being told you can’t order a drink. Or worse, you’re sipping on a beer and get handed a THB 10,000 (€267) fine.
Both situations have happened to unsuspecting tourists because for years the country has had a no-alcohol law from 2-5 p.m. Originally introduced in 1972 to keep workers from taking the Thai equivalent of a three-martini lunch, it applied to everyone and anyone drinking at bars or restaurants during restricted hours was subject to being fined. Now, tho, the law has ended and, while the ban did not apply to certain specific “nightlife zones” where most tourists hang out, you don’t have to worry about it anywhere now.
It was confusing to tourists who were now aware of the law. You were denied being able to order drinks during those those hours – even tho people were in bars – or if you somehow got one, you might be fined. Either way, it made no sense to people who were used to being able to, say, get an afternoon beer if you wanted one anywhere else on the planet. Fortunately, PubClub.com did not encounter this situation when in Thailand but then again, drinking time usually started after 5 as the other hours were spent doing various activities.
“The afternoon sales ban was introduced long ago to prevent civil servants from drinking during office hours. But that era is over… so the ban should be lifted,” Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Saram told reporters.
A decline in tourism is the reason. Saram said the country hopes to to stimulate tourism and economic activity during peak periods such as the New Year and Songkran, Thailand’s water-soaked April festival that attracts millions of people.
For more on Thailand, where to party and recommendations on specific bars, click here.
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