The cabinet has agreed in principle on five bills to amend the alcoholic beverages control law, which seek to extend selling hours and allow greater flexibility for advertisements, prompting opposition from anti-alcohol advocates.
The bills entered their first reading in the House on Wednesday. The five draft laws were approved in principle for deliberation in a vote of 389 to nine with two abstentions.
A special House committee was consequently formed to scrutinise the bills before they are submitted for further deliberation in their second and third readings.
The special committee tasked with vetting the alcohol control bills has 42 members: seven cabinet ministers, 14 representatives of eligible voters, and representatives of political parties.
The bills were proposed by Thiraphat Khanawong and Charoen Charoenchai, both eligible voters; Taopipho Limjittrakorn, a Move Forward Party MP for Bangkok; Chanin Rungtanakiat, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP; and the cabinet.
The cabinet's version is expected to be used as the main draft to be reviewed by the House committee.
A network of advocacy groups that campaign for better control of alcohol consumption has submitted to the House an open letter expressing concern over the potential expansion of selling hours.
It also does not want to see alcohol sold and consumed in various places, and aims to limit both advertising channels and sales promotions.
Addressed to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the letter was received by Thongchat Rattanawicha, an assistant secretary to Mr Wan, and Mr Chanin.
Duangduean Inthanu, a representative of the anti-alcohol advocacy network, said the group saw no reason to change the control legislation as the bills propose.
The changes being touted are meant to spur the economy, according to the bills' supporters.
However, the network said the cons would outweigh the benefits of promoting alcoholic drinks.
Only businesses that sell alcohol stand to gain, Ms Duangduean said.
Santi Chomyong, who represents an anti-alcohol advocacy group in Ayutthaya, urged the House to stand firm in protecting the public interest against the negative consequences of consuming alcohol.
He said lawmakers must put the interest of the public before commercial benefits.
The government has stressed that a balance must be struck between allowing more flexibility in alcohol sales to boost the economy and tourism while also protecting public health.