Dry Days and Alcohol Bans in Thailand

Throughout Thailand there are particular days of the year when all bars are closed and alcohol is not allowed to be sold in shops or elsewhere. These are commonly known as Dry Days, or booze bans. They normally coincide with special days in Thai life.

These days are normally significant days in the Buddhist calendar, or days such as the highly respected Kings birthday.

It is important for vistors to Thailand to respect these occasions, and not get into arguments when they find their favourite bar is unexpectedly closed, or the local Family Mart will not sell alcohol.

There are numerous other reasons why alcohol sales restrictions and bar closures can occur. Apart from the reasons already mentioned, the occasion of elections, local or national, can lead to alcohol bans for days at a time. Likewise the death of a highly respected figure can also lead to bar closures for days at a time.

Some of these bans can be put in force with only 24 hrs notice.

This page lists all the normal days when closures are in force, and other ad hoc days when closures or restrictions are likely. The headline box at the top of the page will be updated as soon as information for a forthcoming ban is published. However we cannot be held responsible for incorrect information as it can rapidly change.

The way the law and regulations are interpreted by the different police areas is very inconsistent ( especially in Bangkok and Pattaya ) and does not make 'alcohol bans' an exact science !! In addition, it is strange how some hotels interpret bans - some lobby bars are open, others are not; some stop alcohol being served by room service but others do not.

It is not uncommon to find some bars open in a soi and others nearby closed during some bans. I will leave it to your imagination why that could be the case.