Thailand Prepares to Enforce Strict New Rules Against Serving Intoxicated Customers
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The Thai Ministry of Public Health is finalizing guidelines for businesses selling alcohol,outlining specific methods to assess customer intoxication levels ahead of a new law taking effect in December 2025. The regulations, stemming from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2008 (amended in 2015), aim to prohibit the sale of liquor to individuals already exhibiting signs of drunkenness, a measure welcomed as Thailand approaches the New Year 2026.
Following a recent meeting of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee No. 6/2025, minister of Public Health Phatthana Prompat confirmed the ongoing evaluation of extended alcohol sales hours – currently permitted between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. since December 3, 2025 – alongside the implementation of these new controls. The six-month trial period will be closely monitored to assess the impact of the extended hours and the effectiveness of preventing sales to intoxicated individuals.
Currently,no specific regulations or laws are in place,but the Office of the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission is preparing to implement the following guidelines:
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Alcohol Odor & Observable Symptoms: The presence of an alcohol odor combined with any of the following:
- Physical Symptoms: Red,puffy eyes or eye twitching,significantly impaired movement control (staggering,uneven walking,difficulty standing,shaking hands).
- Verbal & Behavioral Symptoms: Slurred or unclear speech, speaking more slowly than usual, mood swings, irritability, aggressive behavior, threatening language, or inciting unrest.
Practical Assessment Methods for Staff
The Department of Disease Control recommends three straightforward tests that staff can use to assess a customer’s level of intoxication:
1. The Finger-to-Nose Test
This test assesses coordination and balance. Staff should instruct the suspected intoxicated individual to close their eyes, extend their arm, and touch their finger to the tip of their nose. if the finger misses the target by more than one centimeter, or if there is noticeable hand shaking during the attempt, the individual is considered intoxicated.
2. The Heel-to-Toe Walk
This test evaluates balance and coordination. The individual is asked to walk a straight line, placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other foot, for ten steps. They then turn around on one foot and repeat the process for another ten steps. Intoxication is indicated if two or more of the following occur:
- Inability to maintain a heel-to-toe gait.
- Stepping off the line or walking unsteadily.
- Using arms for balance.
- stopping before completing ten steps.
- Difficulty turning.
3. The One-Leg Stand & counting Test
This test combines balance with cognitive function. The individual is asked to stand on one leg, raising the other approximately fifteen centimeters off the floor, and count from 1001 to 1030. If the individual staggers, lowers their foot, leans for support, or uses their arms for balance during the 30-second period, they are considered intoxicated. Intoxication is indicated if two or more of the following occur:
- Placing the foot down before 30 seconds elapses.
- using arms for balance.
- Noticeable swaying or staggering.
- tilting the raised foot inward.
These guidelines, prepared by the Office of the alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, represent a significant step towards responsible alcohol service in Thailand and are expected to be formally enacted as law in the near future. The source of these guidelines is based on research conducted by Wit Wichaidit and Savitri Atsanangkornchai from the Alcohol Research Center Epidemiology unit at Prince of Songkla University in 2020.
