Thailand Headline News Agency News Recently, the National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee of Thailand has made a resolution to continue to implement the policy of banning the sale of alcoholic beverages during important Buddhist festivals, and to implement conditional opening in international airports, entertainment venues in specific tourist areas and other areas. Thailand’s Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasat, said that the policy applies to religious festivals such as the Ten Thousand Buddhas Festival, Buddha’s Birthday, Three Treasures Buddha Festival and Lent.
According to the implementation details, places exempted from the ban include international airport terminals, entertainment venues in tourist areas designated by the government, and specific areas approved by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Public Health. In addition, hotel accommodation areas, convention and exhibition centers for international or domestic conferences, Bangkok Railway Station and franchised train carriages are also included in the exemption scope.
The new regulations clearly require that approved venues must strictly fulfill three legal obligations: maintain public order, ensure venue safety, and strictly prohibit the sale of alcohol to minors. All exempted venues must pass the qualification review of the competent authorities, and illegal operators will face administrative penalties such as revocation of business licenses.
The resolution will be publicly solicited for public opinions within the next 15 days and submitted to the Ministry of Public Health for approval. Once the Thai prime minister signs the new regulation and it is officially published on the Gazette website, it is expected to take effect before Buddha’s Birthday on May 11. Analysts pointed out that this move not only maintains religious traditions, but also takes into account the development needs of the tourism industry, reflecting the Thai government’s cautious attitude towards alcohol control.
