NEWS
THAI RESTAURANTEURS LOBBIED PM TO SCRAP AFTERNOON ALCOHOL BAN ALTOGETHER
By Susan Lewis
23-1-2024
Credit: Bundo Kim/Unsplash
Thailand restauranteurs have written to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to propose lifting the 5-decade-long alcohol sales ban in the afternoon altogether to help tourism.
Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, head of the Restaurant Business Club, recently sent an open letter to the prime minister to ask the government to lift the ban on sales of alcohol every day between 2pm and 5pm.
According to the letter, the three-hour prohibition is problematic for eatery operators because foreign customers frequently ask them to explain why they cannot order alcoholic drinks in the afternoon.
The restriction is outdated, Sorathep wrote, and revoking it would support the restaurant sector, boost economic growth and help the government's campaigns to increase tourism-related revenue.
The restriction was introduced in 1972 reportedly to stop some government officials from partying and drinking in the afternoon.
Thailand has partially relaxed the 5-decade-long afternoon alcohol ban in July 2022 when the government allowed hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions to sell alcohol during these hours, but relaxation is at provincial governors’ discretion.
All retail outlets, however, are still banned from selling alcoholic beverages between 2pm and 5pm until more research is done.
Given that the Thai government has recently cut alcohol tax with a view to boost tourism, industry insiders believe that further relaxation or scrapping of the ban is highly possible.
(the writer can be contacted at: info@thewinechronicle.com)
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