Authorities are considering extending hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages from 9pm to 11pm or midnight ahead of the upcoming holiday season.
The proposal will be discussed on Monday at a meeting between government agencies and the hospitality and tourism sectors ahead of the New Year celebrations.
Restaurants in Bangkok, Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket have been allowed to serve alcoholic beverages until 9pm since Nov 1, but businesses are calling for the further relaxation of alcohol sales rules in restaurants.
The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA) said on Sunday the government should consider allowing restaurants in 27 other provinces to serve alcoholic drinks, suggesting a two-week trial across 27 provinces in the "surveillance zone" and "blue zone", starting Dec 1.
Last week, the CCSA re-adjusted its zoning criteria, designating 23 provinces as maximum controlled zones (red), 23 as controlled zones (orange), 24 as high surveillance zones (yellow) and seven as tourist-oriented zones (blue).
The blue zone covers Bangkok, Krabi, Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phangnga and Phuket.
"[The holidays are] an opportunity for businesses. We're not dying from Covid-19, but from the stagnating economy. We want the CCSA to further ease the rules as a New Year gift for businesses and workers," TABBA said.
