Can I drink or not? Thailand's fickle booze policy sows confusion

End to three-week sales ban triggers panic buying and curfew violations

20200514N Thai supermarket

Thais flocked to stores once alcohol sales resumed after three dry weeks. © Reuters

MARIMI KISHIMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

BANGKOK -- After going three weeks without alcohol, Thai consumers have embraced adult beverages with enough gusto to rekindle concerns about their effect on the fight against the coronavirus.

"We need to stock up since we don't know when they'll be banned again," said one shopper at a Bangkok supermarket on May 3. The 39-year-old was among many stockpiling beer in case the government once again changed its mind about alcohol sales.

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