At the second regular session of the 10th National Assembly on October 14, 2026, Minister of Health Baikham Khattiya presented a revised draft of the Law on Alcohol Beverage Control on behalf of the law revision committee. Lawmakers were asked to study the proposal and deliberate on it.

The government says the update is urgently needed to keep pace with the country's economic and social development. The current law, passed in 2014, has been in force for more than 12 years, and officials argue that it no longer covers production, advertising and sales adequately. The gaps have contributed to road accidents, health problems caused by substandard alcohol, and significant economic and social losses.

Scope of the revision

The draft has 12 parts, nine chapters and 99 articles. Compared with the existing law, it adds two parts, one chapter and 32 new articles, removes one part, amends 64 articles and leaves three articles unchanged.

Key provisions

• Sales hours (Article 40): Retail sales of alcoholic drinks would be permitted only between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
• Advertising (Article 41): Alcohol ads on electronic media, including radio, television and electronic billboards, would be allowed only between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
• Age limit (Article 67): Drinking, buying, selling or serving alcohol to anyone under 18 would be prohibited. The aim is to protect public health and young people who will form the country's future workforce.
• Drink-driving (Article 6, paragraph 3): Every citizen would be expected to follow a “don't drink and drive” principle. Drivers of vehicles and operators of heavy machinery must not drink, and must show zero alcohol in their breath, blood and urine.

Penalties and a new fund

The draft introduces criminal penalties (Articles 86–96) for offenses such as producing, importing or distributing alcohol without a license, driving while intoxicated, and mixing alcohol with dangerous chemicals.

It also establishes a National Alcohol Control Fund, financed by a 2% profit tax and consumption tax. December 19 of each year would be marked as the National Day of Abstinence from Alcohol Consumption and Sales.

According to the minister, once the revised law is adopted and enforced, it should make the management, monitoring and inspection of alcohol businesses more systematic and effective, reduce accidents and improve public health.