The Justice Ministry is defending the latest order under Section 44 to ban liquor sales near educational institutes, which has left alcohol sellers and pub owners dissatisfied, saying the policy is only enforcing pre-existing regulations previously ignored by authorities.
Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said he believes some disgruntled proprietors "don't understand the order details" and will ask the Royal Thai Police Office and the Provincial Administration Department to explain the legal aspects to them.
Last week, more than 80 alcohol outlet owners called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to consider revoking the order which they said would lead to the loss of several thousand jobs for people working in liquor shops near universities nationwide.
The retailers say they are are concerned that alcohol sales have been banned within 300 metres of educational institutes, but Gen Paiboon on Monday insisted the ministry never set an exact distance.
Instead, it was the National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control which determined the 300m distance. The authorities now agree the distance should not have been specified in the order, as more time is needed to consider the matter, said Gen Paiboon.
The order intends to stop pubs and nightclubs from selling alcohol to people under the age of 20, as well as opening beyond legal hours. Violators will lose their licences and the pub can be closed down for five years.
Under the Interior Ministry regulations, pubs outside entertainment zones cannot open after midnight. "We need to enforce the law without compromise," said Gen Paiboon, stressing the problem of alcohol and drugs among youth.
The minister has instructed officials to inspect all pubs and bars to redraw designated ''entertainment zones'' over the next three months.
Meanwhile, within the next two months the Excise Department will revoke the licences granted to pub owners whose businesses were ordered to shut down for five years, yet allegedly reopened under new names.
"Authorities must hold them responsible," said Gen Paiboon.