Thailand Publishes New Rules for Alcohol Sellers Before Selling Booze to Test Customers Who May Be Too Intoxicated
Effective tomorrow, the Royal Gazette has published new rules for alcohol sellers like bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, restaurants, etc to determine if a customer is too drunk before serving them to avoid possible…
Thailand has published new rules requiring alcohol sellers in Phuket and nationwide to assess whether customers appear too intoxicated before serving them, effective March 29, 2026. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued the guidelines after the Royal Gazette announcement, mandating bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and convenience stores to use field sobriety tests to avoid penalties under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2) B.E. 2568 (2025).
Criteria and Sobriety Tests for Sellers
The DDC guidelines define an intoxicated customer as someone with impaired physical coordination, visible symptoms like red eyes or trembling hands, or altered speech and behavior such as slurring, aggression, or confusion. Sellers must use three standardized field sobriety tests: the finger-to-nose test, heel-to-toe walk, and one-leg stand.
The finger-to-nose test involves the customer closing their eyes and touching their nose with an outstretched finger, checking for tremors or missed attempts. The heel-to-toe walk requires walking ten steps in a straight line and back, with balance loss or staggering indicating possible intoxication. In the one-leg stand, the customer must balance on one leg for 30 seconds, with repeated foot drops or swaying considered signs of impairment.
Legal Context and Industry Response
These interim guidelines were developed in consultation with the Royal College of Psychiatrists of Thailand and serve until more detailed regulations are finalized. The rules clarify responsibilities for sellers, who risk fines, imprisonment, or civil liability if they serve alcohol to intoxicated individuals who subsequently cause harm.
Bar owners and nightlife operators have responded with mixed views. Some welcome the standardized tools for legal compliance, while others raise concerns about practical enforcement, particularly during busy periods. The level of enforcement remains uncertain, officials said.
Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/03/29/thailand-publishes-new-rules-for-alcohol-sellers-before-selling-booze-to-test-customers-who-may-be-too-intoxicated/
