What You Need to Know About the Legal Drinking Age in Thailand

Thailand isn’t just renowned as a cultural, spiritual, and gastronomical epicenter of Asia, it’s also one of the premier go-to drinking and nightlife destinations for every type of libation enthusiast out there. Trust me, I’ve tested this out far more than the human body should theoretically be able to handle.

From raucous backpacker streets with free-flowing beer towers (and funky balloons) to sophisticated rooftop bars and cocktail lounges of world-class five-star hotels, to the bustling, salacious walking streets found across every corner of the country, smokey convivial BBQ beer gardens, and creative high-ABV craft beer bars and breweries, “of age” drinkers can pick whatever type of poison tickles their fancy in the ‘Land of Smiles’. 

But what exactly is the legal drinking age in Thailand?

While you might think that the drinking age is similar to neighboring Asian countries, you might just be surprised to find that Thailand’s drinking age differs significantly. Read on to find out more about important alcohol laws in Thailand so that you don’t end up on the next season of ‘Locked Up Abroad’.

Drinking Age in Thailand

One of my favorite days in Bangkok (many moons ago) was stumbling upon Old German Beerhouse’s opening party on Sukhumvit 13. On top of this bad boy pictured above, there were German pilsners, sausages, and sides for days.

In Thailand, the legal drinking age is 20 years old. This minimum age requirement applies to both the purchase and consumption of alcohol in Thailand. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, implemented in 2008, raised Thailand’s drinking age from 18 to 20.

This may be a surprise to some as Thailand is notoriously touted as an uninhibited party “Mecca” where whatever vice you desire can be found at the drop of a dime. However, Thailand is still a traditional society that exists as a constitutional monarchy (with its king as the ‘head of state’). Thailand is a country of multitudes – progressive and liberal attitudes towards sex and gender identity contrasted against strict laws governing insults against the royal family.  

While the drinking age in Thailand is 20 years old, this is not one of the most strictly enforced laws in the country and it is a popular destination for underage drinkers – including local Thais themselves.

One study found that as of recent years, Thai youths tend to have a higher probability of consuming alcohol, noting that roughly 24% of surveyed Thais aged 15 to 24 admitted to drinking alcohol. Another study analyzing underage drinking in Thailand found that adolescents, on average, first consume alcohol at 13 years old in Thailand. Additionally, 23% of Thai survey respondents between the ages of 13 to 17 revealed engaging in underage alcohol consumption. 

These studies are also several years old, which if I had to hazard a guess, are on the low end compared to underage drinking statistics in 2024. 

Do They Check Your ID to Buy Alcohol in Thailand? 

Having first spent time in Thailand when I was 18 years old (when things were a bit more relaxed and unregulated), my answer would be, “No, they don’t typically check your ID when buying alcohol.” However, in the subsequent years that I’ve returned and spent significant time, ID checking has become more frequent and should be expected at most clubs and higher-end establishments that serve alcohol. 

Unless you look extremely young, convenience stores and supermarkets won’t likely ask to check your ID when buying alcohol either. However, alcohol selection may be limited at convenience stores and supermarkets. Should you purchase alcohol at an official liquor store in Thailand, there is a higher probability of them checking your license or ID.

What Type of ID is Accepted in Thailand?

If you do get ID’d in Thailand, a standard license from your home country is typically more than sufficient to get in, as long as it has the year that you were born on it. 

If you feel uneasy about bringing out your passport for a big night on the town, consider making several photocopies of it will also suffice. 

In general, I recommend against bringing out your passport when drinking and going to heavily crowded areas as the potential risk of losing it is just too high (at least for me anyway). Further, the hassle of securing a new passport can be a nightmare – especially if you are leaving Thailand shortly after.

Legal Consequences For Underage Drinking in Thailand

While the chances of being denied entry to a bar, or being carded when purchasing alcohol, are generally quite low, it is still important to understand the legal consequences of underage drinking in Thailand. 

According to Thailand’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, penalties for underage drinking in Thailand may carry a maximum fine of 10,000 baht (USD 285) or up to six months imprisonment. 

If you do make your way into a bar or club in Thailand while underage, just know that there is always the potential risk of it being raided by police. This is not unheard of in Thailand. It is far more common at local watering holes rather than establishments that primarily cater to foreigners and tourists. However, even clubs and bars on the infamous Khaosan Road in Bangkok have been raided by police checking for underage drinking.

Pale Ale Travel Anecdote: One of the best compliments and/or insults I have ever received was on the infamous Sukhumvit 11 while I was walking to my favorite coworking space (The Hive in Thong Lor). After hurriedly rushing past a tailor offering his services on the street and ignoring his proposition for a fine suit jacket, he hit me with, “Where do you think you’re going, Daddy Long-legs?” I still think of that man and I hope he knows how much that meant to me – even if it was intended as an insult.

Important Alcohol Laws in Thailand 

There are several important alcohol laws in Thailand to be mindful of to ensure that you don’t put yourself or others in harm’s way (or end up in the Thai pokey).

Drunk Driving in Thailand

If you’re thinking about getting behind the wheel after a few drinks, don’t. Thailand takes drunk driving seriously. Thailand defines ‘drunk driving’ as a legal blood alcohol concentration level of 0.05 g/dl for persons 20 or older, or no more than 0.02 for persons under 20 years of age. Selective breathalyzer tests may also be employed by police when testing for drunk driving. 

The penalties for drunk driving in Thailand include up to one year of imprisonment or a fine between 5,000 to 20,000 baht. 

• However, the penalties are increased when there are aggravating factors such as causing bodily or mental injury to another person. In these cases, drunk drivers may face up to five years in prison or a fine between 20,000 and 100,000 baht. They also face having their licenses suspended for no less than one year or revoked altogether. 
• For drunk drivers who cause serious bodily harm to another person, they may face prison sentences between 2 and 6 years and fines up to 120,000 baht (along with license suspensions or revocations). 
• Finally, if a drunk driver leads to another person’s death, they face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 baht. 

You are already playing with a stacked deck against you when it comes to driving in Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Thailand as one of the deadliest countries in the world for road traffic deaths, with more than 20,000 deaths each year being attributed to traffic incidents. An overwhelming majority of these traffic fatalities involve two and three-wheel vehicles (primarily motorbikes) and individuals between 15 and 29 years old. 

Add in alcohol on top of an already dangerous driving and traffic landscape and you have a ticking time bomb for something to go wrong or someone getting seriously hurt (or worse).

My Take on Drunk Driving in Thailand

I know a lot of foreigners and tourists who make their way to Thailand get very excited about the freedom of renting a motorcycle and driving it everywhere. This is perfectly acceptable and something that I enjoy myself. 

However, you still need to take safety precautions that you would in your home country. Don’t drive under the influence, wear a helmet, avoid wearing flip-flops or sandals, do not seat more than two people on a single motorcycle, and don’t assume that others will follow traffic laws. 

Thai prison is not somewhere you want to end up. According to Amnesty International, Thai prisons are notorious for overcrowding, lack of adequate food, poor medical care, and substandard sanitation. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Instead of getting behind the wheel when you’re boozed up, consider downloading and using ‘Grab’ – this is the popular ridesharing app (similar to Uber and Lyft) in Southeast Asia. 

Alcohol Advertising in Thailand

Under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, Vendors that sell alcoholic beverages to persons under 20 years old may face up to one-year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht (USD 575).

The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in specific areas such as temples or places of worship, dormitories, educational institutions, and public parks.

Advertisers that induce individuals to drink alcohol by claiming specific benefits or using certain promotional imagery or language may face a prison term of up to one year or 500,000 baht (USD 14,000) fine. Further, each alcohol advertisement must avoid showing the product or its packaging and must contain mandated health warnings.

While laws addressing alcohol advertising may not be relevant to tourists who come to Thailand for vacation, they are something to take note of should you open a bar, restaurant, or club (or work for domestic alcohol companies or advertising agencies).

What Time Do They Sell Alcohol Until in Thailand?

In Thailand, alcohol may be sold from 11 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM until midnight. These restrictions placed on the sale of alcohol were implemented by the Thai government to curb binge drinking and alcoholism. Specifically, Thailand’s 2 PM to 5 PM restriction was implemented to (primarily) prevent students from engaging in underage drinking. 

Further, bars in ‘designated entertainment zones’ were previously allowed to legally stay open until 2 AM. However, as of December 15th, 2023, in an attempt to increase tourism, designated entertainment venues may stay open until 4 AM. 

In 2022, Thailand lifted the nearly 50-year “booze ban” that prohibited the sale of alcohol during the 2 PM to 5 PM window at certain establishments such as hotels (also leaving it open to provinces to determine if they would like to extend this to restaurants and specific tourist attractions). Convenience stores, liquor stores, and supermarkets are still prohibited from selling alcohol during this three-hour timeframe.

The Sale of Alcohol is Prohibited on Buddhist Holidays & Election Days

One contentious law prohibits the sale of alcohol, nationwide, on Buddhist holidays and election days. This ban extends not only to convenience stores, supermarkets, and liquor stores but also to bars, hotels, and clubs. There are five Buddhist holidays when alcohol is prohibited:

• Makha Bucha Day, 
• Visakha Bucha, 
• Asahna Bucha, 
• Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent), and 
• Wan Awk Phansa (the last day of Buddhist Lent). 

On these Buddhist holidays, the alcohol ban is in place for all 24 hours of the day. On election days, alcohol sales are prohibited between 6 PM of the night before the election and the end of the election the next day (which is typically around 6 PM).

There are plenty of mom-and-pop shops that may or may not follow these bans and will still sell you alcohol during these time frames. There’s also no shortage of after-hours clubs and bars that you can get your booze fix at – you just need to know where to look. 

Keep in mind that each province may have its own restrictions on the sale and consumption times of alcoholic beverages, so it’s always recommended to check 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’re traveling to Bangkok and looking for after-hours clubs and bars that don’t stop (won’t stop), make sure to check out this comprehensive guide. 

Tips to Ensure a Safe & Respectful Drinking Experience in Thailand

During my most recent stay in Thailand, one of my most memorable dining experiences was Sushi Misaki Nobu’s omakase set.

To ensure that you stay safe and are respectful of the local culture in Thailand when drinking, here are a few tips that have worked well for me over the years:

Always Keep an Eye on Your Drink

Anytime you’re in a city or country with millions of people passing through each year, there’s going to be people that try to prey upon that. Instead of leaving your drink unattended, either finish it or purchase a new one after you return from wherever it is that you went off to. 

Do Not Drink & Drive

As mentioned above, you don’t want to end up in a Thai prison or worse. There are plenty of ways to get home after a big night out, including Grab, tuk-tuks, and taxis. Don’t endanger yourself or others just because you think you’re “ok to drive.” 

Also, ensure that you always wear a helmet when on the back of a motorbike as this could be the difference between life and death should the driver get hit or crash.

Go Out With a Group (If Possible)

I know solo traveling is popular so this may be tough to do but it can help to go out with hostel mates or meetup groups to avoid being targeted by any nefarious actors. If you do go out alone, make sure to tell someone where you’re going and to check in with you at ‘X time’. Even now, as a 33-year-old adult, I have close buddies send me a text to check if I’m alright on nights that I go out alone (which are few and far between).

Always Pay For Your Drinks

I had a buddy who ended up on national news in Thailand as he drank a bottle of water and didn’t pay for it. Always pay for your drinks. No, you aren’t being sneaky by pocketing a can of beer from the local 7-11 or walking out on a bar tab, someone most likely saw you and the punishment is going to be a lot worse than a 90 baht drink purchase.

As I’ll explain below, things can go south quickly if you’re not careful.

Drink in Moderation

I know this one can be especially difficult (I’m guilty of it myself), especially when you’re caught up in the moment but if you are in a new city or country, be mindful of how much alcohol you consume. It’s no surprise that the more inebriated you are, the margin of error of letting your guard down or making an unsafe decision is much higher. 

Mix in a Water or Two

I’m one sweaty man and Thailand’s relentless heat (and humidity) is relentless. Make sure you mix in a bottle of water or two (not tap) while drinking to stay hydrated and stave off dehydration, dizziness, and other drinking-related afflictions.

Be Mindful of Your Valuables

I typically only bring out one credit card (or one debit card) and the anticipated amount of cash that I’ll need for a night out when I’m in Thailand. I also make sure to bring a photocopy of my passport and license, just in case I’m ID’d. Leave your valuables back in your room to avoid accidentally misplacing and/or losing them or becoming a victim of petty theft. 

Avoid Trying to Insert Yourself Into Any Hostile Situations

I’ve seen time and time again in Thailand, a foreigner or tourist who thinks it’s their duty to “break up a fight,” ultimately to be dragged into the fight and pummeled. Your night out is not the time to try and be a hero. Instead, grab the nearest bouncer, security guard, or police officer if you want to help.  

My Experiences Drinking Alcohol in Thailand

I’ve seen Thailand in more than a handful of lights. I first went there as a baby-faced 18-year-old for several weeks of debauchery with a classmate (while I was living and studying in Beijing). I’ve returned for several extended stints after that, living there for a combined three to four months in total. 

My subsequent stays took various shapes as I was dating someone living in Bangkok and found myself frequenting rooftop bars and cocktail lounges somewhat regularly. During my most recent stay, for all of February 2023 (to test if I’d love to move here permanently), I was single and reunited with several friends from my poker-playing days – so things escalated and more than a handful of 5 AM nights (or mornings) occurred.  

My biggest warning and/or tip is that things can turn on a dime very quickly in Thailand – meaning that one minute you can be in sheer ecstasy and bliss, having the best night of your life with friends, the next minute, you may find yourself in a less than savory or even outright dangerous situation. 

This is not to fearmonger at all. Rather, it’s to emphasize that there is still a somewhat lawlessness that exists in Thailand (and much of Southeast Asia) that is brought about by a sense of “invincibility” and “superiority” felt by foreigners who then act in ways (often reckless) that they might not back in their home country. Mix that in with a proud Thai culture where “saving face” (and not “losing face”) is paramount, and tensions can flare quickly. 

I’ve seen everything from old foreign men drinking at walking street bars, failing to pay their tab, and finding themselves on the receiving end of a beatdown by the bar staff, to foreigners squaring up with one another in drunken brawls (often over completely nonsensical things), to local Thais rallying groups against one another over personal or familial disputes, and everything in between. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’re heading to Thailand and looking to get a taste of local alcohol, make sure to slug a few Chang or Singha beers, or try some of their potent SangSom (Thai rum).

Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking in Thailand

Drinking beers and watching Muay Thai is one of my favorite activities in Thailand.

What is the Legal Drinking Age in Phuket? 

The legal drinking age in Phuket is the same as anywhere else in Thailand, 20. Just because an area or city is more popular for tourists to visit or party in does not mean that the drinking age is any different than the national mandate.

Can You Drink Alcohol at 18 in Bangkok?

The legal drinking age in Bangkok is also 18. While places like the infamous Khao San Road might give you the impression that drinking is allowed no matter one’s age, this is far from the reality. 

Is the Drinking Age in Thailand Different For Tourists?

Thailand’s legal drinking age of 20 applies to both locals and tourists. Thailand’s ‘Alcohol Law’ does not allow for exceptions, even if you’re a tourist or foreigner. 

Final Thoughts on Drinking in Thailand

I walked all 10 km from Sukhumvit 11 to Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram one day to try and shake off a hangover.

Thailand is one of the best countries in the world when it comes to nightlife, partying, and other entertainment. However, that doesn’t give you free rein to act with impunity. There are still consequences for reckless and unlawful behavior. And, you don’t want to be the one that is made an example of by local police or even other locals. 

If you’re underage, just be aware that the legal drinking age in Thailand is 20 and that you may put yourself at risk of a hefty fine (not the Bloodhound Gang album) or potential imprisonment (the latter isn’t particularly likely) if you are caught drinking alcohol. If you use common sense, remain mindful of cultural norms, are respectful, and avoid causing a scene, I guarantee you won’t have a bad time. 

Some of my best memories in Thailand include posting up at a vibrant mookrata haunt with several friends and beer towers, and date nights (with my now ex-girlfriend) at some of Bangkok’s most scenic rooftop bars (‘Above 11’ still has a special place in my heart – and the feature image of this post). 

If you have any funny or interesting stories about drinking alcohol in Thailand, I’d love to hear from you in the comments! Also, if you have any questions about traveling to Thailand (specifically Bangkok), please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and I’ll do my best to answer anything I can!

Be responsible everyone,

Big Body