Thai election alcohol ban hits tourism revenue during peak season

Under Thai law, it is illegal to sell, pay for or give away any kind of alcoholic drink during two 24-hour voting windows

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People sit in a bar on the Thai island of Phuket. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:30am, 6 Feb 2026

Bangkok restaurateur Sorathep Steve said he was told off last Saturday by customers who had just flown in from the United States and ordered a bottle of wine, only to be told of Thailand’s election-linked ban on alcohol.

“They were frustrated and I had to explain the law,” Sorathep said, recalling how the four guests at his Thai cuisine restaurant complained that they had not come to the country to vote, before finally ordering lemon sodas.

Under Thai law, it is illegal to sell, pay for or give away any kind of alcoholic drink during two 24-hour windows linked to voting.

The first restricted period was when advance voting took place last Saturday, and the second will start at 6pm on Saturday, ahead of the general election the following day.

A Thai woman walks past a Klatham Party election campaign poster in Bangkok on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

The long-standing election law was introduced to prevent vote buying and maintain public order, according to the Election Commission.

“Sales dropped by 50 per cent during the ban for early voting,” said Sorathep, who runs five restaurants in Bangkok, adding that foreign tourists account for about half of his customers.

Thai election alcohol ban hits tourism revenue during peak season

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Under Thai law, it is illegal to sell, pay for or give away any kind of alcoholic drink during two 24-hour voting windows

Under Thai law, it is illegal to sell, pay for or give away any kind of alcoholic drink during two 24-hour voting windows