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The
ban from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. will be lifted on a trial basis for
180 days, after which its effects will be evaluated.
An afternoon ban on selling beer, spirits and wine was enacted
in 1972, when Thailand was under military rule, though the
original reasons for the measure are now obscure. Thailand is
predominantly Buddhist and the religion discourages imbibing
intoxicating substances, though drinking is common.
Consumers are now allowed to buy such beverages from 11 a.m.
until midnight, according to an amendment of the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Act made official on Tuesday by its publication
in the Royal Gazette. While sales end at midnight, customers at
nightlife venues are allowed to keep drinking until 1 a.m.
While the change was being considered there were concerns that
extending drinking to later hours could exacerbate the problem
of drunk driving.
Afternoon sales of alcoholic drinks often have been in a gray
area, with exemptions made for airports, some entertainment
venues and hotels. Enforcement was inconsistent by neighborhood
and under-the-counter sales were often available at small shops
and eateries.
There was a comprehensive ban on alcohol sales imposed
temporarily in many areas during the coronavirus pandemic in an
effort to slow the spead of the virus.
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