Thailand tightens alcohol laws: fines of up to 10,000 baht!

Thailand tightens alcohol laws: fines of up to 10,000 baht!

As of November 8, 2025, Thailand has significantly tightened its regulations on alcohol consumption in public. The Thai government is setting an example for stricter controls in the interests of health protection and public order. A new law, which includes the "Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2), B.E. 2568 (2025)", expands existing regulations since 2008 and aims to modernize the regulation of sales channels and advertising, as ADAC reports.

The new regulations are clear: Alcohol can now only be consumed during the day between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to midnight. This was complemented by a six-month pilot allowing the sale of alcohol between 2pm and 5pm. But be careful! Anyone who consumes alcohol during closed times or in prohibited places, such as train stations or religious sites, must expect severe fines. The fines can be up to 10,000 baht (approx. 270 euros) for consumers and even up to 100,000 baht (approx. 2,666 euros) for providers.

New challenges for fans of liquid bread

The consequences of these changes to the law not only affect compliance with closing times. There are also strict restrictions on advertising. Advertising for alcoholic beverages must now be purely factual and the use of celebrities for marketing purposes is strictly prohibited. The catering industry could suffer from these new conditions as customers will be limited by the set sales times. There is even a risk that alcohol sales will drop dramatically during the banned periods, which is seen as a major setback for the industry, as Thailand Highlights has noted.

In addition, the responsibility for compliance with these laws now increasingly lies with consumers. This means holidaymakers and locals must ensure they only consume alcohol in licensed restaurants, hotels and bars. For example, if a guest orders a drink at 1:59 p.m. and stays until 2:05 p.m., this may be considered a violation of the law.

Banzai of the new regulations

If you want to drink on site, it is advisable to check the hotel for a liquor license and find out about local regulations. The new regulations also provide for specific prohibition zones: alcohol may not be consumed in educational institutions, public parks or gas stations. These regulations are not only an influence of Buddhism, which is considered the main religion in Thailand, but are also intended to help change society's image of alcohol consumption, explains Thailand Tip.

Despite the stricter regulations, there are also opposition voices calling for alcohol sales to be liberalized. Taopiphop Limjittrakorn of the opposition People's Party said foreign tourists could be confused by the new regulations, especially when it comes to adhering to curfews. He emphasizes that clearer rules for tourists are needed to avoid misunderstandings. Many hope that the future in Thailand will find a balance between health protection and enjoyment.