Pattaya’s New Alcohol Law Sparks Tourist Arrests, Outcry
Thailand’s tourism industry is sounding the alarm as Pattaya’s new alcohol law for 2025 triggers a wave of problems for both visitors and local businesses. Tourists now face arrest or fines for sipping a beer on the beach, while shop owners report plunging sales and allege corruption among officials.
Tourists Fined for Beach Beers in Pattaya
Lisa Hamilton, president of the Pattaya Nightlife Business Operators Association, has taken the fight to parliament. She warns that Section 32 of the new alcohol law bans alcohol sales without a special licence—hitting tourism hard.
“In Pattaya, tourists are immediately arrested or fined if they drink a beer while relaxing on a beach chair,” Hamilton says. Local businesses are demanding a review, arguing the law punishes both operators and holidaymakers.
High Season Threatened by Strict Rules
The timing couldn’t be worse. Thailand’s peak travel season is just starting, but confusion and fear grip the resorts. Hamilton worries about the damage to the country’s reputation: “If this problem isn’t solved quickly, tourists will spread the word—with serious consequences for our industry.”
Adding to the tension, Hamilton raises corruption concerns. She claims the strict law gives officials a chance to demand bribes—an “open secret” now being discussed publicly for the first time.
Pattaya’s Tourism Industry Calls for Change
Senator Pisit Apiwattanapong, spokesperson for the Senate’s special affairs committee, has received the complaint. He promises to pass it on to Senate President Mongkol Sursajja and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Senators are worried about the economic fallout. Tourism is one of Thailand’s biggest industries, and Pattaya is a favourite with international travellers.
Balancing Order and Tourist Freedom in Pattaya
The new alcohol law aims to curb excess and public drinking. But in practice, it turns relaxed holidaymakers into criminals for enjoying a simple beer on the sand.
Business owners aren’t calling for a total repeal. They want practical changes, such as designated beach areas where alcohol is allowed—just like in other global tourist hotspots.
Will Thailand’s Government Act Before It’s Too Late?
The Pattaya complaint has made waves at the highest levels. Now, the government faces a choice: relax the law or stick to its hard line.
Time is running out for Thailand’s tourism sector. Without a solution before the high season, the country could face its weakest summer in years—and billions in losses for the industry.
