Religious holiday alcohol sale ban stays, except ……

The National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee has decided to retain the ban on sales of alcohol on the major religious holidays of Magha Puja, Visakha Pucha, Asalha Puja, the start of Buddhist Lent and the end of Buddhist Lent, said Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong.

The committee did agree, however, to allow sales in international airport terminals, entertainment venues, or similar, located in tourist centres, as specified by the Ministry of Public Health on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry.

The sale of alcohol in hotels, convention halls hosting special national or international events, the Bangkok Railway Terminal and in chartered train carriages will also be allowed.

Prasert said the vendors of alcoholic drinks in such venues are, however, required to adopt any necessary measures to maintain peace and order, to ensure public safety and to restrict access to alcohol by people who are under age.

He also explained that the committee’s decision will be subjected to public opinion gathering over the next 15 days, the results of which will be sent to the Public Health Ministry for approval, before changes in the regulations are returned to the prime minister for ratification and subsequent publication in the Royal Gazette to bring them into force.

He said that the new regulations will be in effective before Visakha Pucha Day on May 11.