The holidays mark His Majesty the King’s Birthday on Tuesday, July 28, followed by Asarnha Bucha Day on Wednesday, July 29, and Khao Phansa (Buddhist Lent Day) on Thursday, July 30.
No nationwide alcohol sales ban will apply on His Majesty the King’s Birthday. However, alcohol sales will be prohibited on Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa.
“Only licensed entertainment venues, along with hotels and international airports, will be permitted to sell alcohol under the amended Alcoholic Beverage Control Act,” Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, previously explained to The Phuket News.
“The exemption currently applies only to licensed entertainment venues and does not extend to service establishments authorised to sell alcohol, meaning bars and restaurants should not assume they are exempt from the holiday ban,” he said.
Violations of the alcohol sales ban are punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to B10,000, or both.
Asarnha Bucha Day, also known as the Day of Dharma, marks the full moon of the eighth lunar month and commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon after attaining enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago.
Khao Phansa marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist Lent, during which monks traditionally remain at their temples for study and meditation during the rainy season.
Government offices, including District Offices and the Department of Land Transport, will also be closed throughout the three-day holiday period.
While most bank branches will be closed, some branches in shopping malls may remain open. Thailand Post outlets in shopping malls are expected to operate as normal, while hospitals will continue providing emergency and essential medical services.
Royal Thai Police and Tourist Police stations will remain open as usual.
Phuket Immigration has advised foreign nationals requiring visa extensions, 90-day reports or other immigration services to complete their transactions before the holiday period. Normal services will resume on Friday, July 31, the next working day after the holidays.