At the time of writing this article (Asana Bucha Day 2018), there really was no alcohol for sale in Pattaya, anywhere. It was one of five Buddhist holidays when the buying, selling, and consumption of alcohol was banned nationwide in Thailand.
Update 2025: Good news for residents and visitors to Pattaya. Beginning May 10, 2025, the alcohol sales ban on Buddhist holidays has been partially lifted. Licensed venues in tourist zones, including Pattaya’s bars, entertainment venues, hotels, and airports, are now permitted to serve alcohol.
In short, if you want to visit a bar and drink in Pattaya during Buddhist holidays, you can. However, restaurants, shops, and convenience stores must still comply with the ban.
How The Thailand Alcohol Ban is Implemented
If you happen to be in a location where the alcohol ban is still in place, you cannot “legally” buy alcohol anywhere, including convenience stores, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and hotels.
The ban on the sale of alcohol in Thailand is enforced the full 24 hours of the day, running from midnight to midnight.
It’s only a ban on alcohol, so you may find some bars open, selling soft drinks and food, but in reality, most won’t bother opening at all.
The Days When Alcohol is Banned in Thailand
The alcohol bans are enforced on important Buddhist holidays (Buddha Days) in Thailand. See details below.
First off, just let me tell you that the dates of many events and holidays in Thailand are according to the Thai lunar calendar. To try and avoid confusion, keep in mind the first month of the Thai lunar calendar starts in late November or early December.
Makha Bucha Day: On the full moon day of the third lunar month, usually February or March
Visakha Bucha Day: On the full moon of the sixth lunar month, usually May.
Assana (Asalha) Bucha Day: On the full moon of the eighth lunar month, usually July.
Khao Phansa (start Buddhist lent): First day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month, usually July the day after Assana Bucha Day.
Awk Phansa (end Buddhist lent) : Usually October, after a duration of 3 lunar months.
That still leaves you 360 days a year and 361 days on a leap year to drink and party to your heart’s content.
Additionally, the sale of alcohol is usually banned during local and national government election days, or in the event of exceptional national circumstances.
Are there any days when alcohol is banned in Pattaya?
Yes, on local and national election days or for exceptional circumstances the ban is nationwide, Pattaya included.
Things To Do in Pattaya Without Alcohol
You might consider yourself unlucky if you came to Pattaya to enjoy the nightlife and alcohol sales are banned. However, it’s not the end of the world. If your goal is to connect with girls, you can do that 24/7, 365 days a year (366 on a leap year) using Thai dating apps.
Here are a few suggested things to do in Pattaya when the sale and consumption of alcohol is banned:
- Go catch a movie at the cinema
- Strike it lucky at a tenpin bowling alley.
- Brush up on your 8 and 9 skills at an air-conditioned pool hall.
- Treat someone special to a meal at a beach restaurant.
- Watch the ladyboy cabaret show at Tiffany’s.
- Go watch a Muay Thai fight.