Since 1972, the sale of alcohol in Thailand has been banned in most shops between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Although exceptions remain for licensed entertainment venues, hotels and airports, the responsibility now lies with the consumer.
People can be fined 10,000 baht (about 270 euros) or more if they drink alcohol or are served alcohol where this is not actually allowed. It is also a violation if an establishment sells beer to a customer at 1:59 p.m., but the customer continues to drink in the establishment until 2:05 p.m.
Thai restaurants fear that this could affect their customers. Alcohol sales have often been loosely controlled until now. Alcohol was also offered when this was not allowed at all.