The proposed legislation will limit the sale of
beer, spirits and other alcoholic beverages at
hotels and air-conditioned restaurants to between
11am to 2pm and 5pm to 10pm, although they
would be able to stay open one hour later on Fridays and Saturdays.
It follows a law enacted in 2003 that imposed a
1am closing time on pubs, bars and discos throughout the country.
The new legislation, if enacted, will hit hotels particularly hard because as much as half of their revenue comes from the sale of food and beverages.
There is industry concern that the law will further
harm Thailand's reputation as a regional hotspot for entertainment.
"How can we become the tourism capital of Asia
if this law is adopted?"
said Prakit Chinamourpong, vice-president
of the Thai Hotels Association.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents also called
on the Public Health Ministry, which sponsored the
bill, to shelve the draft law.
The Public Health Ministry has agreed to talk to
industry representatives about the plan.
Thai anger over licensing hours proposal
BANGKOK Thailand's CEI industry is up in arms about government plans to further curb drinking hours in the country.
