All six main international airports will be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages on five major Buddhist holy days to boost spending by travellers and promote tourism.

Policymakers decided on Thursday to allow all airports under Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) to sell alcoholic drinks on the five holy days.

AoT operates Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai airports.

Alcohol sales are banned across the country on these holy days of Buddhism.

Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said lifting the ban would generate more revenue from tourism. However, he did not say when the new rule will begin.

The meeting also halted a proposal of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to reconsider selling alcoholic beverages, including beer, at stations and on trains.

The SRT has not allowed alcohol sales at train stations or on board since 2015. The ban started after a former employee drank beer on a train and later raped and killed a 13-year-old passenger before throwing her out of the train window in July 2014.