The Public Health Ministry is hosting an online public hearing on its new directive for enforcing the updated alcohol control act. The draft includes a six-month grace period for alcohol sale time restrictions, according to a Government House source.
Temporary Lift on Afternoon Alcohol Sales Ban
The new directive aims to exempt the afternoon alcohol sales ban, which typically restricts sales from 2 pm to 5 pm, for 180 days. After this grace period, an evaluation will determine whether the ban will be permanently lifted. This temporary lift aligns with the Alcohol Control Committee’s resolution.
The committee’s decision follows Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s recent reminder to Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat to expedite the enforcement of a Cabinet resolution from …
The Public Health Ministry is hosting an online public hearing on its new directive for enforcing the updated alcohol control act. The draft includes a six-month grace period for alcohol sale time restrictions, according to a Government House source.
Temporary Lift on Afternoon Alcohol Sales Ban
The new directive aims to exempt the afternoon alcohol sales ban, which typically restricts sales from 2 pm to 5 pm, for 180 days. After this grace period, an evaluation will determine whether the ban will be permanently lifted. This temporary lift aligns with the Alcohol Control Committee’s resolution.
The committee’s decision follows Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s recent reminder to Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat to expedite the enforcement of a Cabinet resolution from October 21. This resolution instructed the Public Health Ministry and relevant agencies to review laws that may hinder tourism, specifically focusing on restrictions related to alcohol sales times.
New Directive Retains Alcohol Sale Time Windows
While the new alcohol control act does not specify sale times, the existing directive maintains two sale windows: 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to midnight. However, this has raised concerns among business operators, as the time restrictions could impact tourism and cause confusion.
The new directive retains these time windows but introduces a temporary change during the first 180 days. During this period, alcohol sales will be permitted from 11 am to midnight, allowing for a more flexible approach.
Exemptions for International Airports, Licensed Venues, and Hotels
The directive continues to exempt international airports, legally registered entertainment venues, and licensed hotels from the sale time controls. This allows these establishments to continue operating without restrictions during the temporary lift of the afternoon sales ban.
Provincial Committees to Evaluate Impact
The draft directive also assigns provincial alcohol control committees in Bangkok and other provinces to evaluate the impact of lifting the afternoon alcohol sales ban. After six months, they will submit their evaluation reports to the national Alcohol Control Committee for further consideration.
Questions for Public Input
The Public Health Ministry has posed five questions in the online public hearing to gather feedback from the public:
- Do you agree with the restriction of alcohol sales times to 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to midnight?
- Do you agree with allowing alcohol sales outside the morning sale time window (11 am - 2 pm)?
- Do you agree with the assignment of provincial alcohol control committees to evaluate the lifting of the afternoon sales ban and report their findings to the national committee?
- Do you agree with the exemption for international airports, licensed entertainment venues, and licensed hotels from the alcohol sale time control?
- Do you have any suggestions for the new directive?