Judul : Afternoon Drink Ban Under Consideration
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Afternoon Drink Ban Under Consideration
Thai officials plan to consider removing the restriction on selling alcohol in the afternoon following significant backlash from businesses and the general population, Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Zarum stated on Wednesday.
The National Alcohol Policy Committee is scheduled to convene on Thursday, following the cabinet's recognition of the rule's possible effects on commerce and tourism, according to Mr. Sophon, who labeled it as a critical matter that needs immediate attention.
He mentioned that certain provisions in the updated Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, such as the ongoing ban on alcohol sales between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., are unreasonable and need to be removed.
"The old regulations clash with daily life and lead to issues with legal implementation. We concur that reform is necessary and the restriction should be removed," he stated.
We can expect positive updates from the meeting. Relaxing the regulations will provide confidence to businesses and promote tourism, contributing to the growth of the local economy.
Mr. Sophon stated that limitations on the sale or consumption of alcohol in the afternoon near schools and temples should continue, but in commercial zones, sales should be permitted.
The revised Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which became effective on November 8, ultimately removed a 1972 regulation introduced by a military government that prohibited the sale of alcohol between 2 and 5 pm. However, it maintained a regulation from the Prime Minister's Office that was included in the 2008 version of the Act, specifying the same restricted selling hours.
Additionally, the new law transferred the duty of enforcing the ban from business owners to individual consumers. A person may face a fine of 10,000 baht or higher for consuming or being offered alcoholic drinks during restricted hours or in restricted areas.
Businesses petition PM
As a related update, a coalition of restaurant and entertainment business owners presented a petition to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House on Wednesday, asking the government to reconsider the newly enacted law.
They had representatives from the Restaurant Business Club, Khao San Road Business Association, Thai Retailers Association, Thai Restaurant Association, Pattaya Entertainment and Tourism Industry Association, Craft Beer Trade Association, and Khao Yai Tourism Association.
They claimed that the long-standing restriction on selling alcohol between 2 pm and 5 pm is no longer suitable for Thailand's tourism and business environment.
Sorathep Rojpotjanaruch, head of the Restaurant Business Club, mentioned that the organization's primary issue was the new regulation prohibiting patrons from staying seated to keep drinking once the allowed time has ended, even if they had already ordered their beverages.
The group also advocated for the removal of zoning regulations and requested authorization for patrons to stay seated and keep drinking past the official nighttime sales period, which runs from 5 pm to midnight.
Mr. Sorathep mentioned that the new rules impact not only establishments serving nightlife but also restaurants and the tourism sector.
Even tour guides are worried, he mentioned, pointing out that visitors might wish to have a beer during the sweltering afternoon but could unintentionally violate the law, putting restaurants and guides at risk of legal consequences.
This scenario has resulted in a gap," he stated. "We recognize the health reasons for the law, but the government must also take into account its effects on the economy and the tourism sector.
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