Craft beer group hails end of afternoon alcohol ban

Restaurants and beverage sellers say the revised alcohol sales rules give them greater flexibility in managing their business hours.

Thailand has finally abandoned its 54-year-old afternoon alcohol sales ban, which the Craft Beer Trade Association described as "a starting point for civilisation".

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee announced new hours for alcohol sales, effective on Friday, of 11am to midnight. The ban from 2pm to 5pm, introduced in 1972 to deter civil servants from drinking on the job, is finally history.