Thailand eases Buddhist holiday alcohol ban for five venue types
Thailand now allows alcohol sales at five types of venues on five major Buddhist holidays, including certain licensed establishments in designated tourist areas.
Thailand has eased its Buddhist holiday alcohol ban, allowing five types of venues to sell alcoholic drinks under regulations that took effect on 7 November 2026.
The Thaiger reported that the revised rules were published in the Royal Gazette on 6 November by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee. The changes retain the ban on alcohol sales during Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Asalha Bucha Day, the beginning of Buddhist Lent and the end of Buddhist Lent.
Exemptions apply to passenger terminals at international airports; licensed entertainment venues and similar establishments in designated tourist areas; hotels operating under Thailand’s hotel legislation; and venues hosting large-scale national or international events. The rules count the two entertainment-related categories separately, making five venue types in total.
For Phuket, the provision covering entertainment-style establishments in tourist areas will apply only to locations formally designated by the public health minister following a recommendation from the interior minister. Event venues must be included on a list approved by the public health minister following a recommendation from the tourism and sports minister.
Businesses using the exemptions must operate screening procedures and other measures to maintain public order and safety, including steps to prevent children and young people from accessing alcohol. The new announcement also repeals a previous Prime Minister’s Office notice on prohibited alcohol sales days dated 7 May 2025.
