Registered venues may now sell alcoholic beverages during the previously prohibited period of 2pm to 5pm, with an additional hour granted at night for customers in licensed premises to finish their drinks.
The amended regulation came into force on Wednesday after being published in the Royal Gazette the previous day. Public Health Minister Pattana Phrompat, who signed the order, said the update aligns with the realities of the current situation.
Under the change, the previous sales periods of 11am to 2pm and 5pm to midnight have been expanded, effectively scrapping the long-standing afternoon ban.
While the midnight closing time remains, patrons inside licensed premises are now allowed until 1am to complete their beverages.
The announcement initiates a 180-day trial period, during which alcohol control committees in Bangkok and other provinces must monitor and report on the impact for further consideration.
Exceptions remain in place for international airports, where alcohol sales outside the normal time limits are still permitted.
Thailand has barred most retail outlets and supermarkets from selling alcohol between 2pm and 5pm since 1972, a restriction introduced under a coup regime.
Authorities have long argued that the rule helped prevent students from purchasing alcohol after school.
The decision to abolish the ban was approved on November 13 and is expected to stimulate tourism and economic activity during peak periods such as New Year and Songkran.
Although Thailand is globally recognised for its tourism and nightlife, its alcohol policies continue to be shaped by Buddhist values that view drinking as a moral concern.
Figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that Thailand has some of the highest alcohol consumption rates in Asia.
In 2021, the country ranked 16th among nearly 200 nations for road traffic fatalities per capita, according to WHO data.
Public Health Ministry statistics show that from 2019 to 2023, almost 33,000 people were killed in drunk-driving incidents nationwide.
