Alcohol ban on Buddhist holy days lifted for touristy venues

Hotels, entertainment venues and event sites among five exempt categories

Thailand has introduced new rules allowing alcohol sales at designated venues, including licensed nightspots,  on five major Buddhist holy days, while maintaining the general nationwide ban on alcohol sales on those dates.

The regulation, published in the Royal Gazette, took effect on Saturday and replaces a Prime Minister's Office announcement issued in May last year.

Under the new rules, alcohol sales remain prohibited on Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Asanha Bucha Day, the first day of Buddhist Lent and the end of Buddhist Lent.

However, five categories of venues are now exempt from the ban.

Alcohol sales are permitted inside passenger areas of airports serving international flights, at licensed entertainment venues regulated under the entertainment venue law, at legally registered hotels and at venues hosting major national or international events designated by the Public Health Ministry.

The regulation also permits sales at businesses operating in a manner similar to entertainment venues in designated tourist areas. Such locations must be officially designated by the public health minister on the recommendation of the interior minister.

Operators in those tourist areas are required to implement screening procedures and other measures to maintain public order and safety, and to limit access to alcohol by children and young people.

The regulation was signed on Oct 9 by Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat in his capacity as chairman of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee and took effect on Nov 7, 2026.

While the new regulation expands and clarifies exemptions, the general prohibition on alcohol sales during the five major Buddhist religious holidays remains in force nationwide for venues that do not fall under the specified exceptions.

The easing follows a broader review of Thailand's alcohol regulations this year. In May, authorities updated a number of rules governing alcohol sales and consumption, including restrictions at transport hubs, government premises, factories and public parks.

Later that month, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee extended permitted alcohol sales hours from 11am to midnight and introduced exemptions for international airport terminals, hotels, entertainment venues and designated event sites, subject to public-order and underage-drinking safeguards.