Bangkok officially allows alcohol in restaurants as of November 1st, many rules apply

Bangkok-

  The BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) has officially allowed drinking alcohol in restaurants as of Monday, November 1st.

However, many rules apply, according to officials.

First, alcohol may only be served until 9:00 P.M.

Secondly, the venue must be a proper restaurant/eatery with a proper license and must be SHA certified, be a “Covid-free” setting (whether this means patrons will need to show proof of a vaccine or if it will be enforced remains questionable, TPN media notes) and meet TAT requirements/properly registered.

The SHA website is here.

Third, the BMA hinted that overall SHA standards would be “increased” for venues approved to sell alcohol.

Venues that are bars, nightclubs, lounges, entertainment venues, gogos, karaoke lounges, pubs, etc. may still not open and sell alcohol. Indeed, these venues are not even available to be SHA certified at this time.

Unfortunately, as of press time, no similar announcements have been made for Pattaya, which despite rising complaints and anger from tourism associations and business owners remains, for now, dry, although subject to change.