No more ordering alcohol online
Small and medium-sized businesses like bars have hoped to get back on their feet with the help of e-commerce, after the ban of alcohol during the pandemic.
Sadly, their hope comes to an end as selling alcoholic beverages online has officially been banned.
We need to visit bars in person to enjoy a drink
On 8th September 2020, the law was quietly passed and officially announced in the Royal Gazette. The announcement was unprecedented and quite shocking, to say the least.
Into effect on 7th Dec 2020
Signed by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the latest Alcoholic Beverage Control Act suggests that “it is forbidden to sell alcoholic beverages directly to consumers via electronic channels.”
The new regulation doesn’t just stop people from purchasing their favourite drinks online but also prevents them from posting the picture of alcoholic beverages on social media. Why? Because doing so can be interpreted as “advertising and inviting others to drink.”
“The law will go into effect after 90 days of the announcement,” said the Gazette – that would be 7th December 2020.
The penalty has not been mentioned in the Gazette.
People strike back
Facebook page Prachachonbeer, the online community for beer lovers and activists who fight for a better drinking culture, was quick to take action.
On Tuesday, the page urged people who have been affected by this new law to take the matter to the Administrative Court of Thailand in hopes to bring it down.
“To pass this law is unfair because the first thing the government should do is to approach us – the reviewers, page owners, and business owners – to come to a consensus with agreements that make sense to both sides,” Prachachonbeer talked to BK Magazine back in July when the rumour about this new regulation first broke out.
Featured images adapted from: Technobezz & Wishbeer
Enjoying The Smart Local Thailand? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more stories like this