Starting March 30, new rules on alcoholic beverage sales took effect in Thailand, requiring bartenders and sellers to check how intoxicated customers are, The Pattaya News reported.
The person will not be served another portion of drink if they are too drunk.
How the checks work
The country’s authorities revealed guidelines in the Royal Gazette. To avoid fines, sellers must assess a customer’s condition — when there are doubts, they can be asked to pass a small sobriety test right at the cash desk or bar counter.
There are three sobriety tests:
- Finger-to-nose test: the person must close their eyes, extend their arm and touch the tip of their nose with the tip of their index finger.
- Heel-to-toe walk test: the person must take 10 steps along a straight line, placing the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of the other with each step.
- One-leg stand: the person must stand on one leg for 30 seconds without losing balance.
If a person sways, misses their nose or falls while standing on one leg, they can be considered intoxicated. In this case, the law prohibits selling them alcohol.
The purpose
Thai authorities aim to reduce the number of road accidents and fights in establishments. Vendors can be held responsible if they sell alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then causes a traffic accident or public disturbance.
This can lead to fines, imprisonment and civil liability for a vendor.
Owners of bars and nightclubs have raised questions about how to conduct these sobriety tests during busy evenings when venues are crowded. It remains unclear how strictly the police will enforce the rules.
