The Royal Gazette has published an important announcement from the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee regarding the revised prohibited hours for alcohol sales, B.E. 2568 (2025). The regulation will take effect on 3 December 2025 and will serve as a 180-day trial relaxation period to evaluate the overall impact.

The revision aims to align with changing public behavior and current economic conditions. It is issued under the authority of the Alcohol Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and its amendment B.E. 2568 (2025).

Permitted Alcohol Sale Hours

Under the new announcement, retailers and establishments may sell alcoholic beverages during the following periods:

• 11.00 to 14.00
• 14.00 to 17.00 (this period is allowed only as a 180-day trial from the effective date)
• 17.00 to 24.00

The 14.00 to 17.00 period is the key change in this announcement, as it was previously restricted. It is now temporarily permitted to allow authorities to monitor potential social, economic, and safety impacts.

The Bangkok Alcohol Beverage Control Committee and provincial-level committees will collect data on the effects in each area and report the findings to the national committee before the 180-day trial ends.

Exemptions Not Subject to the Prohibition

The announcement also states that the prohibition under Clause 3 does not apply to the following cases:

• Sales inside international airport passenger terminals
• Sales in service venues, according to the operating hours specified in the Service Venue Act
• Sales inside hotels in accordance with the Hotel Act

This means pubs, bars, clubs, and lounges operating within the legally permitted hours under the Service Venue Act may continue selling alcoholic beverages as usual.