Simple Guide: How to Get an Alcohol License in Thailand (Liquor Selling License for Restaurants, Bars, and Clubs)

Last updated: December 24, 2025

If your business model includes serving beer, wine, or spirits whether you are opening a restaurant, cocktail bar, or nightclub you will typically need an alcohol license Thailand business owners commonly call a liquor license (or liquor selling license). In Thailand, licensing and day-to-day compliance are closely tied to (1) Excise licensing procedures and (2) operating restrictions under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. Info Go+1

This guide is written for practicality: what to prepare, where to apply, what fees to expect, and which common compliance points you need to build into your operations from day one using official government sources. Info Go+1

1) Know what you are applying for: alcohol license vs restaurant license vs bar license

In everyday conversation, owners often group everything into “a restaurant license” or “a bar license.” In practice, you should treat them as separate workstreams:

Alcohol license / liquor license / liquor selling license: Permission to sell alcohol, issued through the Excise licensing process (with specific license “types” and annual validity). Info Go
Restaurant license: Your local operating permissions for food service and premises use (requirements vary by local authority).
Bar license / club permissions: Depending on your concept, additional permissions may apply beyond alcohol licensing (for example, venue operations, entertainment, and safety compliance).

The key point: securing an alcohol license is necessary, but it may not be sufficient on its own for a full bar/club operation.

2) Choose the correct liquor license type for a restaurant or bar

Thailand’s Excise procedure distinguishes liquor selling licenses by “type,” including a threshold based on quantity sold “per time” (ครั้งหนึ่ง). The government service procedure outlines:

Type 1: Selling alcoholic beverages 10 litres or more per time
Type 2: Selling alcoholic beverages less than 10 litres per time Info Go

Practical guidance (for most venues):

Most restaurants and bars typically fall under Type 2, because service is usually by glass or bottle well below 10 litres per transaction. Confirm this with the Excise office responsible for your location before you apply. Info Go

3) Check applicant eligibility before you commit to a lease

According to the official procedure, an applicant for a liquor selling license must generally meet at least one of these eligibility conditions:

Be a juristic person established under Thai law, or
Be an individual aged at least 20 years Info Go

The procedure also notes waiting periods in certain cases (for example, if a license was revoked, reapplication can be restricted for a defined period). Info Go

Why this matters: Align your business setup and your lease timeline. Licensing is much easier when the license holder and premises documents are clean and consistent.

4) Confirm your location is not in a prohibited area

Before you apply, verify that your premises is not in a category of prohibited places.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Act: restricted places and periods

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act prohibits alcohol sales at or within certain places (such as places of worship, education institutions, petrol stations, and public parks), and also allows sales to be prohibited on days/periods notified by the Minister (with conditions/exemptions possible). Department of Disease Control+1

Excise procedure: prohibited premises examples

The Excise-related service procedure also lists location restrictions and specifically flags certain premises as not permitted for Type 2 licensing (including areas related to schools, religious sites, and petrol stations, among others). Info Go

Property takeaway: Location suitability is not just “good foot traffic.” It is licensing feasibility. A strong site check should include nearby institutions and adjacency risk not only your interior fit-out plan.

5) Prepare your documents (the checklist most applicants need)

The government procedure page sets out common documentation for an application. Typical items include:

Applicant identification (original ID card)
For juristic persons: company certification documents
House registration for the place of sale (or official documents showing rights to use the premises)
Owner identification documents (where relevant)
Lease agreement and a written consent/permission from the landlord allowing alcohol sales
A simple map/site plan showing the premises and nearby area
Power of attorney documentation (if someone applies on your behalf), with applicable stamp duty Info Go

Tip: Missing landlord consent is a common cause of delay. Confirm this point while negotiating the lease not after you sign.

6) Where and how to apply for an alcohol license in Thailand

The official service procedure describes several access channels, including:

Applying in person at the relevant Excise Area Office / branch for your business location
Applying via shared service centers (OSS Center) or other government service points
In some cases, submitting via official online channels (availability and workflow can vary by license type and local practice) Info Go

After approval, the process generally requires you to pay the relevant fee and receive the license as issued. Info Go

7) Alcohol license fee in Thailand: what you should budget for

Your alcohol license fee depends on license type and (for Type 2) VAT registration status.

From the government procedure schedule (examples shown on the official page):

Type 2 (less than 10 litres per time)

VAT-registered operators: annual fee shown as 2,000 THB
Non–VAT-registered operators: annual fee shown as 300 THB Info Go

Type 1 (10 litres or more per time)

The official procedure page shows multiple Type 1 fee entries depending on the scenario, with examples such as 600 THB, 1,200 THB, and 5,000 THB as annual fees in different cases. Info Go

Important: Fee schedules and practical interpretation can change via regulation and official notifications. Always confirm the correct category and amount with the Excise office responsible for your area before you submit. Info Go+1

8) Timing and renewal: do not treat licensing as “one and done”

The official procedure notes:

The liquor selling license is typically valid for 1 year. Info Go
If documents are incomplete, the authority can require corrections/supplementation, and the request can be treated as abandoned if not corrected within the specified time. Info Go
Once approved, you may be required to pay and collect the license within a defined window (the page references a 30-day window from notification in certain cases). Info Go

Operational best practice: Put renewal dates on a compliance calendar and assign an accountable manager (especially for bars and clubs where licensing and enforcement attention can be higher).

9) Compliance rules you must build into operations (Alcoholic Beverage Control Act)

Getting the alcohol license is only one part. Your daily operations must also follow restrictions in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.

Key examples from the Act include:

Age restriction: No sale to a person under 20 years of age, and no sale to a person who has lost consciousness due to drunkenness. Department of Disease Control
Prohibited sales methods: The Act restricts certain sales practices, including (among others) sale promotions involving discounts, and other practices notified by the Minister. Department of Disease Control
Restricted places: Sale is prohibited at or within specified place categories (for example, places of worship, education institutions, petrol stations, and public parks). Department of Disease Control
Restricted days/periods: Sale can be prohibited on days/periods notified by the Minister (with conditions/exemptions potentially specified). Department of Disease Control
Advertising limitations: Restrictions apply to advertising or displaying the name/trademark of alcoholic beverages in a way that induces drinking. Department of Disease Control

Also note: the government-hosted English text is an unofficial translation and explicitly states the Thai text remains the sole legal authority. Department of Disease Control

Quick FAQ

Do I need an alcohol license for a restaurant in Thailand?

If you will sell or serve alcohol, you generally need an alcohol license Thailand operators commonly refer to as a liquor license or liquor selling license, and you must operate in line with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act restrictions. Info Go+1

How much is the alcohol license fee in Thailand?

The official procedure lists different annual fees depending on license type and VAT registration status, including Type 2 examples of 2,000 THB (VAT registered) and 300 THB (non-VAT registered). Info Go

Does a “bar license” mean the same as an alcohol license?

In practice, “bar license” is a common business term. Your alcohol permissions are handled through the liquor selling license process, and you may also need additional local permits depending on your venue type and operations. Info Go+1

Schedule a viewing for bar, restaurant, and club-suitable properties

At Hero Realtor, we focus on real estate. We do not specialize in legal advisory services or in obtaining an alcohol license. However, our experienced agents understand what typically makes a premises more suitable for businesses that require an alcohol license from location fundamentals to practical layout considerations. If you are planning a restaurant license pathway, a bar license concept, or a club-style venue, we can help you shortlist commercial spaces that align with business realities then arrange viewings efficiently.