Thailand's Afternoon Drinking Fines Stir Tourism Chaos

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

55% : New law penalizes consumers and sellers for drinking outside permitted hours, risking tourist decline amid strong baht and competition Thailand, a tourism powerhouse, has introduced strict alcohol regulations ahead of its peak tourist season.
55% : The new alcohol regulations exempt licensed hotels, resorts, clubs, and international airport lounges.
54% : According to a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report, Thailand's annual per capita alcohol consumption among those aged 15 and older was 8.3 liters, ranking second in Southeast Asia after Vietnam (8.7 liters) and far exceeding the global average of 5.8 liters.
54% : By increasing low-cost flights and easing visa regulations, Vietnam attracted nearly 14 million foreign tourists annually.
53% : Strengthening alcohol sales regulations in the food service sector could negatively impact the livelihoods of many Thais, as tourism constitutes a disproportionately large share of the country's GDP.
53% : Thanawat Phonwichai, president of the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), told the Bangkok Post, "This regulation will directly affect tourist spending during the most critical peak season of the year."
52% : Thai public health groups have long urged the government to implement stricter regulations.
46% : Unlike previous regulations, which only penalized sellers, the revised law expands penalties to include consumers.

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