PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand has revised its regulations on alcohol sales during major Buddhist holidays, allowing certain establishments, including licensed entertainment venues, hotels and designated tourist destinations, to sell alcoholic beverages on these days. The new announcement by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee was published in the Royal Gazette on November 6, 2026, and took effect on November 7, replacing the previous regulation issued on May 7, 2025.
Under the revised rules, alcohol sales remain prohibited on five major Buddhist holidays: Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Asalha Bucha Day, Buddhist Lent Day (Khao Phansa) and the end of Buddhist Lent Day (Ok Phansa).
However, exemptions are now permitted for the following establishments:
- Passenger service buildings within international airports serving international flights.
- Licensed entertainment venues operating under the Entertainment Place Act.
- Establishments operating similarly to entertainment venues in designated tourist areas, as specified by the Ministry of Public Health following recommendations from the Ministry of Interior.
- Hotels operating under the Hotel Act.
- Venues hosting special national or international events attracting large numbers of participants, as designated by the Ministry of Public Health following recommendations from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Establishments eligible for these exemptions must introduce customer screening procedures and appropriate safeguards to maintain public order, ensure public safety and prevent children and young people from accessing alcoholic beverages.
The revised rules do not mean that all bars and restaurants can sell alcohol on Buddhist holidays. Ordinary bars, beer bars and restaurants remain subject to the sales ban unless they qualify under one of the five specifically approved categories. In particular, being located in a tourist city does not automatically make an establishment exempt. The changes are intended to provide greater flexibility for tourism-related businesses while maintaining restrictions on alcohol sales during important Buddhist religious observances.
For visitors and residents, the key distinction is that licensed entertainment venues and qualifying hotel establishments can sell alcohol, while ordinary bars must still follow the holiday ban unless they receive the required designation.
