Thailand has introduced a new regulation under the Alcohol Control Act.
It prohibits alcohol vendors from selling beverages to customers who are already intoxicated.
This aims to enhance responsibility in alcohol service.
Craft Beer Association Explains Updates
The Craft Beer Trade Association clarified the revised rules on its Facebook page on December 18.
It shared simple explanations to help business operators understand the changes.
Recent months saw several amendments to the Alcohol Control Act.
Current Alcohol Sales Hours
Shops, bars, and entertainment venues can sell alcohol from 11am to midnight daily.
This is part of a six-month trial lifting the afternoon sales ban.
Operators are familiar with the ongoing strict ban on sales to those under 20.
Liability for Vendors
The new rule adds to Section 29 of the Act.
Vendors selling to intoxicated customers who later cause harm may face joint liability.
This includes legal prosecution and compensation for damages, injuries, or death.
Assessing Intoxication
The law lacks clear criteria for measuring intoxication.
No specific blood alcohol level or testing method is defined.
Vendors must rely on their own judgement to refuse service when needed.
Promoting Responsible Drinking
The association urged vendors to encourage responsible consumption.
They should advise customers to use public transport after drinking.
This helps ensure safety on the roads.
Extension of Drinking Hours
In November, the National Alcohol Policy Committee approved extending drinking hours to 1am.
This followed private sector requests.
However, further extensions were rejected due to higher drink-driving accident statistics.
Penalties for Customers
Customers consuming alcohol outside permitted hours risk fines.
These can reach up to 10,000 baht.
The rule reinforces compliance with legal timings.
