Thailand is reportedly planning to revoke a ban on afternoon sales of alcohol dating back 53 years.
The south-east Asian country is also allegedly intending to ease curbs on advertising alcohol as part of its plans to liberalise the market and further aid tourism.
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The Thai House of Representatives has voted in favour of easing restrictions and now the law change heads to the Senate for ratification.
Media reports in The Bangkok Post newspaper and on news agency Bloomberg announcing the move said the bill would revoke a 1972 military government order that bans sales of alcohol anytime before 11 am and again between 2pm to 5 pm.
They added that the bill would also soften the country’s strict rules on advertising to allow the promotion of alcoholic drinks. The law currently bans the display of names or trademarks of alcoholic drinks or the use of pictures of such products for promotional purposes.
The moves are intended to help liberalise a market dominated by large beer brands – such as Thai Beverage’s Changa and Boon Rawd Brewery Co.’s Singha – it has been suggested, providing tourists, vital to the Thai economy, with a greater choice of beers from smaller operators.
Earlier this year, lawmakers also apparently passed a bill to promote liquor production by micro-breweries and small distilleries as the government announced it would be reviewing a number of restrictions on alcohol including the ban on sales of alcoholic beverages on Buddhist holy days and via online channels.
The media outlets said the 1972 ban on afternoon sales was imposed to prevent civil servants from drinking on the job.
