BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation is preparing to ease regulations regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated areas of national park zones, allowing alcohol consumption without disturbing other visitors.
Athapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, stated that the department is drafting the new regulation (National Park Access Regulation No. 2, B.E. 2568) to amend the previous regulation from 2020. One key change is regarding the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
The new draft removes the old rule (Clause 6, Section 7) and replaces it with the following provision:
“7. The sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, except for designated areas where alcohol consumption is permitted in a club and with approval from the head of the national park.”
Athapol emphasized that under the new regulation, the head of each national park will have the authority to designate specific areas for recreation within national park zones, but these areas must be private or developed into clubs that do not disturb other visitors. The construction of new buildings may be required, although existing meeting rooms or structures could be used.
He clarified that the relaxation of these rules is not about allowing tourists to drink freely; instead, it aims to accommodate organized group activities. The old rule had been in place for a long time and did not reflect the reality of activities taking place. All group events will still require permission from the head of the national park, who will use their discretion in approval.
The Department’s new regulation (National Park Access Regulation No. 2, B.E. 2568) has already undergone public consultation. The Legal Division is now compiling feedback. The next step is for the official signature of the department head before submitting it to the Cabinet Secretariat for publication in the Royal Gazette. The regulation is expected to come into effect within two months.
