Thailand Alcohol Ban Days: 2026 and 2027 Dates

Nobody may sell alcohol on Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha and the first and last days of Buddhist Lent. In 2027 the first three fall on 21 February, 20 May and 18 July. Airport terminals, hotels, entertainment venues and some tourist-area venues are exempt.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

The next ban day with an official date is Sunday 21 February 2027, Makha Bucha. Alcohol sale stops that day, but hotels, international airport terminals and licensed entertainment venues keep serving.

Which days alcohol sale is banned in Thailand

The Prime Minister’s Office bans alcohol sale on Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, the first day of Buddhist Lent and the last day of Lent. The notice names the holy days, so the ban sits on the holy day and not on the bank holiday that replaces it.

ห้ามผู้ใดขายเครื่องดื่มแอลกอฮอล์ในวันมาฆบูชา วันวิสาขบูชา วันอาสาฬหบูชา วันเข้าพรรษา และวันออกพรรษา

No person may sell alcoholic beverages on Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Asarnha Bucha Day, the Buddhist Lent entry day and the Buddhist Lent exit day.

Prime Minister’s Office notice on alcohol sale days, clause 3, Royal Gazette 9 May 2025 (editor’s translation)

The notice was published in the Royal Gazette on 9 May 2025 and took effect the next day. Notices made under the 2008 Act stay in force until a new one replaces them. Check the Gazette for a newer notice before you plan around a date.

Penalty for the seller

A seller who breaks the ban faces up to 6 months in prison, a fine of up to THB 10,000, or both. The sale clause applies to whoever sells.

Ban day dates by year

In 2027, Makha Bucha is Sunday 21 February, Visakha Bucha is Thursday 20 May and Asarnha Bucha is Sunday 18 July. The table gives 2026 as well, with the first day of Lent counted from Asarnha Bucha.

When a holy day falls on a weekend, the bank holiday moves to Monday but the ban stays on the holy day. Visakha Bucha 2026 fell on Sunday 31 May with the compensation holiday on Monday 1 June. Patong Municipality told venues the ban fell on 31 May.

In 2027 the shift happens twice. Makha Bucha is a Sunday, so the bank holiday is Monday 22 February. Asarnha Bucha is a Sunday too, and its bank holiday is Monday 19 July.

Buddhist Lent starts the day after Asarnha Bucha: Thursday 30 July 2026 and Monday 19 July 2027, both computed by counting one day on. The last day of Lent is a ban day too; its date is listed under Not confirmed.

How the lunar dates are fixed

A Gazette holiday list gives Makha Bucha as the 15th waxing day of the 3rd lunar month. Visakha Bucha is the 15th waxing day of the 6th month, and Asarnha Bucha is the 15th waxing day of the 8th month. Buddhist Lent starts on the 1st waning day of the 8th month.

The lunar rule moves the dates between years, so plan with the Bank of Thailand dates above. A calendar site that puts Asarnha Bucha 2027 on the Saturday is a day early: the date is Sunday 18 July.

What stays open on a ban day

The days notice does not stop sales in international airport terminals, licensed entertainment venues, hotels, tourist-area venues and special event venues. Each exemption has its own condition.

• International airport terminals: sales in a building that serves passengers inside an airport with international flights.
• Entertainment venues: sales in a service place under the service-place law.
• Hotels: sales in a hotel under the hotel law.
• Tourist areas: venues that operate like a service place in a tourist area, as the Public Health Minister announces on the Interior Minister’s advice.
• Special events: places used for national or international events with large crowds, on the Public Health Minister’s list.

A seller using an exemption must put screening and measures in place for public order, public safety and keeping children and young people from alcohol. Outside the exempt categories the ban applies to every seller. A shop or restaurant outside them may not sell alcohol that day. Buy before the ban day if you want alcohol in your room.

Normal hours on every other day

Outside ban days, nobody may sell alcohol outside 11:00 to 24:00. The hours notice took effect on 29 May 2026.

Hotels, international airport terminals and licensed entertainment venues are exempt from the hours rule. Entertainment venues sell within the opening times of their own licence. Bangkok’s late-night rules are in Bangkok bar closing times.

Two places are closed to alcohol sales every day. Selling at temples and places for religious ceremonies is banned. Selling at fuel stations, including shops in the station area, is banned.

Election-day alcohol ban

Nobody may sell, distribute, give away or host any kind of liquor in an electoral district from 18:00 on the day before an election until 18:00 on election day. The penalty is up to 6 months in prison, a fine of up to THB 10,000, or both.

ผู้ใดขาย จําหน่าย จ่ายแจก หรือจัดเลี้ยงสุราทุกชนิด ในเขตเลือกตั้งในระหว่างเวลา ๑๘.๐๐ นาฬิกา ของวันก่อนวันเลือกตั้งหนึ่งวัน จนถึงเวลา ๑๘.๐๐ นาฬิกา ของวันเลือกตั้ง

Whoever sells, distributes, gives away or hosts any kind of liquor in an electoral district from 18.00 on the day before the election until 18.00 on election day…

Election law for the House of Representatives, section 147 (editor’s translation)

For the 8 February 2026 election, the Election Commission announced the ban nationwide, from 18:00 on Saturday 7 February to 18:00 on Sunday 8 February. A free drink handed out in the district is covered as giving away. The Election Commission notice repeats the same penalty.

↑ Contents

Not confirmed: The exact date of Ok Phansa, the last ban day each year, is unconfirmed. Ask the district office or your venue before you plan around it. The tourist-area and event venue lists are separate Public Health Ministry notices, so ask a venue whether it counts as exempt. A newer days notice can replace the current one.

General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

Spotted an error? Report it.