Thailand is preparing a major shift in its alcohol and nightlife regulations after the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee announced its intention to abolish the 2PM–5PM alcohol sales ban and consider extending nightlife operating hours to as late as 4AM.

The announcement came on November 13, 2025, when Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Sarum addressed the media following the committee’s second meeting of the year. He explained that the existing afternoon ban, originally created decades ago to prevent civil servants from drinking during work hours , no longer aligns with modern social behavior.

“That era is over. Civil servants don’t drink in the afternoon anymore. The restriction should be removed,” Sophon stated.

The talks around extended drinking hours stem from concerns raised by the tourism sector, which argues that longer nightlife hours are essential during peak seasons such as New Year and Songkran. According to Sophon, extending hours to 4AM has strong backing from tourism operators, though the Ministry of Public Health opposes the idea due to accident statistics showing a spike in fatalities between 2AM and 3AM.

Sophon emphasized that while public health campaigns promoting alcohol abstinence during New Year remain in place, such measures must be practical:

“You cannot simply tell people not to drink during festivals. That’s impossible. But the state can encourage safer behavior with the right incentives,” he said.

Regarding implementation, Sophon confirmed that the decision to cancel the 2PM–5PM ban does not require Cabinet approval. Once the committee finalizes the resolution, it will be issued as a Prime Minister’s Office Announcement, followed by a 15-day public hearing period before coming into effect.

The extension of nightlife hours remains under discussion, with possibilities ranging between 2AM and 4AM. Any approved extension is expected to apply only to designated tourist zones, similar to current zoning rules.

The new measures are seen as a significant step in stimulating Thailand’s tourism-driven economy, especially in major nightlife hubs such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.