Alcohol, Nightlife and Drinking Rules in Phuket

Sale hours

For years alcohol could be sold only from 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to midnight. A trial from December 2025 lifted the afternoon gap, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand reported that a notice in force from 29 May 2026 allows sales from 11:00 to midnight nationwide, with shops and supermarkets included. Some sources still repeat the older hours, which is why confusion continues.

Hotels, airports and licensed entertainment venues can serve outside those hours under their own licences, and Phuket has designated late-night zones where licensed venues are reported to be allowed to stay open until about 04:00. Ask the venue, because closing times depend on the licence and the local authorities.

Dry days and other bans

• Alcohol sales are banned for about 24 hours on major Buddhist holy days, reported as five a year, and the 2027 holidays guide lists the dates for next year.
• Sales are banned around national elections, usually from 18:00 on the day before the vote to the end of voting.
• Buying and selling is restricted near schools, temples and some other places, and sellers may refuse sales to anyone who is visibly drunk.
• The legal age to be sold alcohol is 20, and entertainment venues set 20 as the age to enter licensed bars and nightclubs. Carry photo ID.

Venues often serve guests who are already seated on holy days in some cases, but rules and enforcement vary, so ask rather than assume.

Drink driving and scooters

Thailand enforces strict drink-driving limits, and police run checkpoints, especially around holidays and in tourist areas. Scooters are a major cause of injuries, and insurers may refuse claims after drinking. Read the driving guide for licences, helmets and insurance, and take a taxi or ride app after drinking.

The emergencies guide lists the numbers to call after an accident.

Staying safe on a night out

• Keep your drink in view, and do not accept drinks from strangers.
• Agree prices or check the menu before you order. Overcharging and spiked drinks are known risks in some bars. See the scams guide.
• Use licensed taxis or a ride app, and share your location with a friend.
• Keep cash, your phone and a copy of your passport safe, and see the beach safety guide for swimming after drinking, which is very risky.
• If you need medical help, go to a hospital emergency department.

If you are drinking more than you intend, see the mental health and counselling guide for support.

Living near nightlife

Areas such as Patong are loud late into the night. If you plan to rent, visit at night first, and see the area guides and the renting guide for noise, contracts and neighbours. Residents in quieter areas such as Chalong, Rawai and the north-west beaches report fewer noise problems.