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.

Can you buy a drink on a Buddhist holiday? Not from a shop: skip planning a drink-up on Sunday 21 February 2027, Makha Bucha, because shops stop selling that day, and stock up the day before. Hotels, international airport terminals and licensed entertainment venues keep serving.

Which days shops stop selling

Five Buddhist days are off limits: Makha Bucha, Visakha Bucha, Asarnha Bucha, and the first and last days of Buddhist Lent. The ban sits on the holy day itself, not on the bank holiday that replaces it when the day falls on a weekend.

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)

A seller who breaks the ban faces up to 6 months in prison, a fine of up to THB 10,000, or both. The full calendar of days off is in the Thai public holidays guide.

The dates for 2026 and 2027

Mark these in your calendar: in 2027, Makha Bucha is Sunday 21 February, Visakha Bucha is Thursday 20 May and Asarnha Bucha is Sunday 18 July.

Lent starts the day after Asarnha Bucha, and the last day of Lent is a ban day too. When a holy day lands on a weekend, the bank holiday moves to Monday but the ban stays put, so in 2027 the Makha Bucha ban is on Sunday 21 February, not on Monday.

What stays open

Hotels, international airport terminals and licensed entertainment venues can still serve. Some tourist-area venues and special event venues are exempt too, but only the ones named on an official list.

A venue using an exemption must screen customers and keep young people away from alcohol. Anywhere else, a shop or restaurant may not sell that day, so buy before the ban day if you want a drink in your room.

On ordinary days, nobody may sell alcohol outside 11:00 to 24:00, and hotels, airport terminals and entertainment venues are exempt from that too. Temples and fuel stations never sell alcohol. Bangkok’s late-night rules are in Bangkok bar closing times.

Election days

Before an election, expect a dry stretch: nobody may sell, give away or host liquor in an electoral district from 18:00 the day before voting 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)

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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. Prices, opening hours and other details change; confirm them with the provider before you act. See how guides are checked.

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