As the eighth most popular tourist destination in the world, Thailand has it all - mouth-watering food, amazing nature, and unforgettable nightlife. After COVID-19 decimated tourism in the Land of Smiles, they did something that made so much sense by legalizing marijuana, and the tourists returned. The government is now discussing recriminalizing non-medical cannabis use, but it might be too late to put that genie back in the bottle.

Another way to bring in more tourists is to extend the nightlife hours. Since the bars, restaurants, and nightclubs were allowed to operate after the pandemic, they would have to shut down at 2 am. For some party people, 2 am is just getting started. So the government has announced that clubs in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chon Buri will be allowed to stay open and sell alcohol till 4 am.

Thailand’s Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul clarified to the Bangkok Post, “I might have been a little wrong because I talked about several issues. Entertainment venues can stay open until 4am and sell alcohol under their existing licenses.”

The ultimate goal of this is to make tourists happier to visit as peak tourism season approaches. Minister Charnvirakul said that the new policy will take effect by December 15, 2023.