As much as 10 billion baht in revenue would be generated as soon as a longstanding ban on alcohol sale for three hours in the afternoon is lifted, a campaigner has said.
Thanakorn Kuptajit, former president of the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA), said that he expected the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to consider lifting the ban as part of the relaxation of preventive measures aimed at stimulating the economy.
TABBA and 15 other groups representing retailers, hotels, restaurants and bars recently submitted their proposal to the Council of State, which serves as the government’s legal advisory agency, to review the ban on afternoon alcohol sales.
The group described as “outdated” the ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks between 2 pm and 5 pm, which has been in force since 1972.
The sale of alcoholic drinks is allowed from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to midnight.
“The service businesses have been severely hit by the Covid crisis. If the government allows alcohol sales during that period, the businesses will become much more active and more money will be circulated in the system. This is a way to boost the economy during this inflation crisis,” Thanakorn said.
He said that if the CCSA and the Cabinet agree with the lifting of the ban, the Prime Minister’s Office could issue a decree for immediate effect.
“If the lifting takes effect within April, at least 10 billion baht will be generated,” Thanakorn said.
At its meeting on Friday, the CCSA is expected to consider proposals from relevant agencies to ease the preventive measures as part of Thailand’s plan to declare Covid-19 an endemic by July 1.
Among the proposals are scrapping the requirement for pre-departure Covid testing before entering Thailand under the Test & Go scheme, allowing no masks in open-air areas such as a public park, and reopening of entertainment venues. – The Nation
