Alcohol advocate challenges Thailand to drop daytime booze ban

A pro-alcohol crusader said today that he has petitioned the government to end the afternoon booze ban, once and for all.

Thanakorn Kuptajit, the former president of the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association, submitted his longshot proposal yesterday to the government’s legal arm to lift the longstanding ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm to boost the economy – and business owners.

“There are convenience stores selling alcoholic beverages regardless of time, so there is no point for this law,” Thanakorn told Coconuts this morning.

Thanakorn, who’s long been a lone voice calling for common-sense alcohol laws, said the proposal is backed by associations representing 16 industries including bars, restaurants, hotels, and retailers.

“If restrictions are lifted, businesses wouldn’t enter the vicious cycle of illegally selling alcohol that…