The Thai government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is considering lifting the 52-year-old ban on afternoon alcohol sales from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to support the struggling tourism industry, including bars, hotels and restaurants.
The Restaurant Business Club and Thai Hotels Association have requested urgent relief measures, such as lifting the afternoon alcohol sales ban, tax deductions, or subsidies for renovations, to address economic challenges. The tourism industry's call for urgent measures coincides with plans to tighten rules on cannabis use and classification.
The afternoon alcohol sales ban was introduced in 1972 when Thailand became a popular leisure destination to regulate leisure destinations.
The Bangkok Post reports that alcohol-induced accidents and deaths in Thailand have been steadily increasing over the years.
Thailand aims to attract 36.7 million travelers this year to boost GDP growth to 3%.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Time, Straits Times, ASEAN NOW, The Thaiger, Bangkok Post.